On a thrilling night of football in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, Al-Ahli continued their impressive run of form and winning streak, securing a resounding and historic 5-2 victory over hosts Al-Shabab. This exciting match took place at Al-Shabab's stadium as part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League, reaffirming Al-Ahli's determination to compete strongly this season.
A fiery start and early Al-Ahly dominance
The visitors gave the home side no time to settle, launching a sweeping attacking onslaught that resulted in an early goal after just six minutes through young defender Rayan Hamed. The Al-Ahli machine didn't stop there, as Ivorian star Franck Kessié extended the lead with a second goal in the 20th minute, before Algerian maestro Riyad Mahrez made his mark by scoring the third goal in the 25th minute, putting Al-Shabab under immense psychological and technical pressure from the opening minutes.
Al-Shabab tried to get back into the game, and their Belgian captain Yannick Carrasco managed to reduce the deficit in the 33rd minute, but Al-Ahli's response was swift and devastating through Enzo Melot, who scored the fourth goal in the 34th minute. Before the half-time whistle, Carrasco returned to salvage his team's reputation with a second goal from a penalty kick in the 44th minute, ending the first half with a heavy 4-2 score.
Second half: Confirming superiority and sealing the result
The two teams entered the second half with contrasting ambitions. Al-Ahli sought to seal the victory, while Al-Shabab desperately searched for a miracle comeback. Al-Shabab's goalkeeper, Marcelo Grohe, was outstanding, making crucial saves from Riyad Mahrez's attempts and Ibanez's header, while Edouard Mendy proved an impenetrable barrier against shots from Carrasco and Abderrazak Hamdallah. In the 83rd minute, star player Ivan Toni delivered the final blow, scoring Al-Ahli's fifth goal from the penalty spot, sealing a resounding and well-deserved victory.
The context of the competition and the development of the Roshan League
This match comes at a time when the Saudi league is undergoing a historic transformation in terms of both recruitment and competition, with classic matches and top-tier games now attracting unprecedented global attention. Al-Ahli's resounding victory reflects the success of their tactical system and the high level of synergy between international stars and local talents, while Al-Shabab's declining performance raises numerous questions about the team's readiness to compete with the top clubs, given the tremendous development of their rivals.
Impact of the result on the rankings
With this resounding victory, Al-Ahli raised their points tally to 50, securing second place and closing the gap on the league leaders, while also achieving their fifteenth win of the season. Conversely, Al-Shabab's woes deepened as they suffered their tenth defeat of the season, leaving them stuck on 19 points and dropping to fourteenth place – a position unbecoming of the club's history. This puts the coaching and management staff under immense pressure to turn things around in the upcoming rounds and avoid getting embroiled in the complex relegation battle.
