In a rare occurrence that captivated sports fans, English international striker Ivan Toni , star of Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, missed his first penalty kick since joining the club. This occurred during his team's match against Al-Najma in the 23rd round of the Roshan Professional League . This event is exceptional considering the player's historical record, as he is considered one of the world's leading specialists in taking penalty kicks.
Historical record and details of the rare failure
This missed penalty was only the third in the English star's entire professional career across all official competitions, a statistic that reflects his exceptional accuracy. Tony had built a fearsome reputation among goalkeepers during his golden era with Brentford, renowned for his unique style of remaining calm and moving slowly before shooting, while maintaining his gaze on the goalkeeper until the very last moment, making his shots virtually impossible to save.
Tony's numbers in the Saudi League
Despite this brief setback, Ivan Toni's record in Saudi Arabian football remains impressive and underscores his high level of skill. In the Saudi Professional League, Toni has successfully converted 16 penalties, with 10 successful penalties in the 2024-2025 season and 6 in the current 2025-2026 season. These goals directly contributed to deciding the outcome of several highly competitive matches, thus strengthening Al-Ahli's position in the league standings.
Artistic value and event impact
This missed penalty doesn't diminish the significant technical value Tony has brought to Al Ahly's attack since joining the team. The English striker isn't limited to his role as a penalty taker; he's a complete attacking outlet thanks to his positioning inside the box, aerial duels, and playmaking abilities. Analysts believe that missing penalties is an inherent part of football, and has happened to legends throughout history. Tony is expected to quickly overcome this setback thanks to his extensive experience in European football.
General context of the competition
This match comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is experiencing tremendous development and fierce competition between clubs, where small details, such as penalty kicks, have become crucial in determining the course of championships. This event underscores the immense pressure that international stars face in the Saudi league, amidst high expectations from fans who demand nothing less than victories. Nevertheless, Ivan Toni remains a cornerstone of Al-Ahli's project to compete for domestic and continental titles.
