Match Events
| Min | Team | Card | Event | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16' | Al-Ahli | Goal — Ivan Toney | 1-0 | |
| 43' | Al-Ahli | Goal — Eduard Spertsyan (assist: Saad Yaslam Balobaid) | 2-0 | |
| 45+2' | Al-Ahli | Goal — Francisco Trincão (assist: Saad Yaslam Balobaid) | 3-0 | |
| 45' | Al-Riyadh | Substitution — Fahad Mohammed Al-Jayzani on, Hussain Al Shurafa off | 3-0 | |
| 47' | Al-Riyadh | Hussain Al Shurafa | 3-0 | |
| 60' | Al-Riyadh | Mohammed Al-Khaibari | 3-0 | |
| 61' | Al-Ahli | Goal — Ivan Toney | 4-0 | |
| 62' | Al-Ahli | Substitution — Artem Bondarenko on, Ziyad Al-Johani off | 4-0 | |
| 69' | Al-Riyadh | Substitution — Leandro Antunes on, Marzouq Tambakti off | 4-0 | |
| 69' | Al-Riyadh | Substitution — Essam Hassan Abdullah Bahri on, Hussain Al-Raqwani off | 4-0 | |
| 75' | Al-Ahli | Substitution — Eduard Spertsyan on, Saleh Aboulshamat off | 4-0 | |
| 75' | Al-Ahli | Substitution — Wenderson Galeno on, Firas Al-Buraikan off | 4-0 | |
| 75' | Al-Ahli | Substitution — Valentin Atangana Edoa on, Naif Masoud Khalid off | 4-0 | |
| 77' | Al-Ahli | Saad Yaslam Balobaid | 4-0 | |
| 81' | Al-Riyadh | Substitution — Teddy Okou on, Abdulilah Al Tale off | 4-0 | |
| 83' | Al-Ahli | Substitution — Saad Yaslam Balobaid on, Zakaria Hawsawi off | 4-0 | |
| 85' | Al-Riyadh | Abdulilah Al Tale | 4-0 | |
| 87' | Al-Ahli | Goal — Naif Masoud Khalid (assist: Firas Al-Buraikan) | 5-0 | |
| 89' | Al-Riyadh | Substitution — Hassan Hashim Al-Ali on, Salman Matar off | 5-0 |
Al-Ahli put on a show at King Abdullah Sports City on Friday, 4 September 2026, tearing into Al-Riyadh from the off and putting the game to bed long before half-time. Three goals up at the break, they eased through the second half without ever taking their foot fully off the gas, running out 5-0 winners in the end. Trincão was the standout performer, pulling strings all evening and picking up the Man of the Match award with a rating of 8.2 - fully deserved given how much of the danger flowed through him. Al-Riyadh barely got going, managing just one shot on target across the whole match despite having a fair bit of the ball in patches. Eight shots on target for the hosts told its own story, and this was as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. For Al-Ahli, it's the kind of result that sends a message early in the campaign. For Al-Riyadh, there's plenty to fix before the next fixture comes around.
The Matchup
Al-Ahli beat Al-Riyadh 5-0 at King Abdullah Sports City, and the numbers from the match back up how the game played out. Al-Ahli also had the better share of the ball, holding 56% possession, which usually goes hand in hand with the extra control a winning side tends to show. The shot count told a similar story, with 16 attempts from Al-Ahli against 12 from Al-Riyadh over the course of the game. Al-Riyadh had their moments and did not make it easy from start to finish, but ultimately came up short on the day. Small margins like this one tend to add up over a season, and results such as this are often what separates teams in the table further down the line. Here is a closer look at exactly how the two sides compared, statistically.
Man of the Match
Match Statistics
Al-Ahli vs Al-Riyadh Lineups
Looking Ahead
Al-Ahli does not have long to wait before getting back out onto the pitch. Their next test comes away at Al-Fateh, and how they respond after this result will be worth watching. You can follow the build-up and everything you need to know when Al-Fateh vs Al-Ahli going to play at 9 October 2026 in Saudi Pro League 2026-27.
Al-Riyadh, meanwhile, will already be turning their attention to what comes next. They are next in action away at Al-Fayha, a game that will give an early sense of how they carry this result forward. Full details are here: Al-Fayha vs Al-Riyadh going to play at 11 October 2026 in Saudi Pro League 2026-27.
Match Commentary
We're into the 90th and there's surely only stoppage time left to negotiate now, Al-Ahli still shading possession 58-42. Al-Riyadh just want this one filed away, five goals and a world of misery to reflect on.
Into the 89th now and Al-Ahli are just seeing this one out, still holding the bulk of possession at 58%. Al-Riyadh have nothing left to give, five goals down and simply waiting for the whistle.
And there it is, Naif Masoud Khalid gets in on the act in the 87th to make it 5-0. Complete humiliation for Al-Riyadh now, with just a couple of minutes left to play.
86 minutes on the clock and nothing's changed in the pattern, Al-Ahli content with their 58% slice as the game drifts. Al-Riyadh aren't even trying to wrestle it back, just running down the last few minutes of a night to forget.
85 on the clock and Al-Ahli are cruising through this one, still shading possession 58-42. Al-Riyadh look like they've mentally clocked off already, four goals down with five minutes standing between them and the final whistle.
84 minutes gone and it's still Al-Ahli dictating with 58% of the ball, though there's no urgency behind it. Al-Riyadh are just seeing out the clock now, 4-0 down and nothing to play for.
83 gone and this one's just fizzling out, Al-Ahli still holding that 59% slice of possession without needing to press the issue. Al-Riyadh are merely waiting for the whistle now, the four-goal gap doing all the talking.
81 minutes played and nothing's changed, Al-Ahli content to keep their 59% share of the ball ticking over. Al-Riyadh just going through the motions now, four goals adrift with little left to play for.
79 minutes on the clock now and it's all pretty routine stuff, Al-Ahli still shading possession 59-41. Al-Riyadh look resigned to their fate, just shuffling the ball about with no real intent to chase the game.
78 minutes gone and the game's gone flat, exactly as you'd expect at 4-0. Al-Ahli still dominate the ball at 59% but there's no urgency in it, just seeing out the closing stages now.
77 minutes played and this one's just drifting along now, Al-Ahli happy to pass it around with 56% possession. Al-Riyadh not offering much in reply, four goals down and simply waiting for the whistle.
75 minutes on the clock and Al-Ahli make a change, Saleh Aboulshamat making way for Eduard Spertsyan. Fresh legs for the final quarter of an hour with the job already well and truly done.
74 minutes gone and it's still men against boys out there, Al-Ahli comfortable on the ball without needing to press the accelerator. Al-Riyadh look resigned to their fate now, just soaking up what's left of this one.
Quiet passage continues here at 73, Al-Ahli content to keep their 60% share of the ball ticking over without forcing anything. Al-Riyadh just counting down the clock now, four goals adrift and short on ideas.
Nothing doing here at 72 minutes, Al-Ahli still dictating with 60% possession but in no rush to add to their tally. Al-Riyadh just trying to get through the final stretch without further damage.
Double change for Al-Riyadh as Leandro Antunes and Essam Hassan Abdullah Bahri come on, Marzouq Tambakti and Hussain Al-Raqwani making way. Fresh legs but the scoreline stays the same, 4-0 Al-Ahli with 63% of the ball at the 70-minute mark.
68 minutes gone and it's the same story, Al-Ahli holding 63% of the ball without ever needing to hurry. Al-Riyadh look resigned to it, just seeing out this four-goal deficit.
Still cruising at 4-0, Al-Ahli content to keep circulating possession, up to 65% now, while Al-Riyadh barely bother chasing the game.
Quiet spell here at 4-0, Al-Ahli happy to pass it around with 65% of the ball while Al-Riyadh just wait for the final whistle.
Nothing much changing here in the second half, Al-Ahli ticking things over with 65% possession and Al-Riyadh just letting the clock run down. Four goals to the good, there's no urgency at all from the home side.
Fresh legs on for the leaders as Artem Bondarenko replaces Ziyad Al-Johani just after the hour. Al-Ahli still dominate the ball at 66% and there's no sign of them easing off at 4-0.
Booking for Al-Riyadh's Mohammed Al-Khaibari there, his name goes into referee's book on 60 minutes. Doesn't change the shape of things though, Al-Ahli still content with the ball at 66% and cruising at 4-0.
Just past the hour mark and it's still the same story, Al-Ahli happy to pass it around with 66% of the ball. Al-Riyadh aren't chasing the game much, just riding out this spell three goals adrift.
58 minutes gone and the pattern's unchanged, Al-Ahli ticking it around with 66% possession and no real urgency. Al-Riyadh look happy enough just to let the clock roll on at 3-0 down.
Coming up on 57 minutes and this one's gone a bit flat, Al-Ahli still dominating the ball at 64% but in no rush to add to their tally. Al-Riyadh will just want the next 30-odd minutes to fly by.
Nothing much to report as we approach the hour mark, Al-Ahli content to keep their 64% grip on the ball without forcing the issue. Al-Riyadh, three down, are just trying to keep this from getting any worse.
Fifty-five on the clock and it's still all Al-Ahli in terms of the ball, that 64% share holding steady. Al-Riyadh aren't stretching themselves, just sitting deep and waiting for this one to pass.
Nothing doing at the moment, Al-Ahli just recycling possession at 64% while the clock ticks past 54. Al-Riyadh look happy enough to stay compact and let this spell pass them by.
Still just processional stuff from Al-Ahli here, ticking the ball around with that 64% share and no real need to change anything. Al-Riyadh are a goal down times three and going through the motions at this point.
Al-Riyadh still waiting for a foothold here, 51 gone and Al-Ahli continuing to dominate the ball at 64%. There's no urgency from the home side, why would there be with a three-goal cushion to play with.
Half an hour of this second period still to come and Al-Ahli are content just to keep the ball for now, 64% and rising. Al-Riyadh can't force their way into the game and that three-goal gap feels bigger by the minute.
Nothing doing in the last few minutes, Al-Ahli happy to knock it around at 64% possession with that three-goal cushion behind them. Al-Riyadh look no closer to finding a way back into this one.
Second half under way and it's more of the same, Al-Ahli ticking things over with 64% of the ball. Al-Riyadh need something, anything, to spark this from three down but they just can't get a grip on possession.
We're deep into first-half stoppage time now, and Al-Ahli will be content to let the clock run down on that 66% share. Al-Riyadh just need to get in at the break 2-0 down and regroup.
43 minutes on the clock and Al-Riyadh are now staring down a 2-0 deficit with barely a foothold in this game, just 36% of the ball to work with. Al-Ahli look perfectly happy to see out the half in cruise control.
Nothing much changing as we approach 42 minutes, Al-Ahli still purring along with that 65% share. Al-Riyadh will just want to reach the break at 1-0 without any further damage.
41 minutes gone and it's still the same story, Al-Ahli ticking things over with 65% of the ball. Al-Riyadh are just about holding the line at 1-0, but they've barely had a sniff of possession to work with.
Half-time edging closer and Al-Ahli are still content to camp on the ball, 65% possession there for the taking. Al-Riyadh look no closer to a way back, still 1-0 down as we approach the break.
39 minutes on the clock and Al-Ahli continue to dominate the ball, 65% to their name, but there's little sense of them needing to force the issue. Al-Riyadh just can't get out from under it, still trailing 1-0 as the half winds down.
Approaching the 40th now and Al-Riyadh still haven't found a way to loosen Al-Ahli's grip, the hosts holding 64% of possession. Nothing's changed on the scoreboard, still 1-0, and this passage feels like it's just drifting by.
36 minutes gone and it's the same story, Al-Ahli ticking along with 65% of the ball and no urgency to change things up. Al-Riyadh are stuck chasing shadows, still searching for a foothold at 1-0 down.
Half-hour plus five now, and Al-Riyadh simply can't wrestle any control away, Al-Ahli sitting on 71% possession. The lead stands untroubled at 1-0 while the visitors just try to stay patient.
Nothing dramatic happening here, just Al-Ahli content to knock it around with 68% of the ball while Al-Riyadh wait for a chance to break that rhythm. Still 1-0, and the game feels stuck in this same gear.
Ticking past the half-hour mark now and Al-Riyadh still can't get a real handle on this game, Al-Ahli holding two-thirds of the ball. The scoreboard hasn't budged, and neither has the pattern.
Al-Riyadh still searching for a foothold here, and that 65-35 split tells the story of this half so far. Al-Ahli look happy to let the clock tick along with the lead intact.
Thirty on the clock and Al-Ahli's grip has eased just slightly, down to 65% possession, but the control is still theirs. Al-Riyadh need to find a spark soon if they're going to change this contour of the game.
Half an hour almost gone and nothing much has changed in the pattern of this game - Al-Ahli keep the ball, Al-Riyadh keep chasing it. Still 1-0, still 68% for the home side.
Al-Riyadh still haven't found a way into this one, and Al-Ahli are content to keep circulating the ball at 68% possession. The 1-0 scoreline feels like a fair reflection of the balance of play right now.
Quarter of an hour to go until the break and Al-Ahli still dictate, sitting on 68% of the possession with that single-goal cushion intact. Al-Riyadh are struggling to string anything together at the moment.
Approaching the half-hour mark now and Al-Ahli continue to dominate the ball, up to 67% possession while nursing that 1-0 lead. Al-Riyadh just can't seem to get a foothold in this one.
Twenty-two minutes in and the pattern holds, Al-Ahli comfortable with 61% possession as they lead 1-0. Al-Riyadh are yet to really assert themselves on this game.
Just past the twenty-minute mark and the rhythm hasn't changed much, Al-Ahli edging things with 55% of the ball. Al-Riyadh will need to inject some urgency soon if they're going to threaten that lead.
Twenty minutes on the clock and it's still 1-0, Al-Ahli happy to keep things ticking over with 60% of possession. Al-Riyadh are struggling to string much together in response.
Eighteen minutes gone and Al-Ahli are content to manage the game now, still on top with 62% of the ball. Al-Riyadh need to find a way to wrestle some control back before this gets away from them.
VAR steps in and awards Al-Ahli a penalty after review, and Ivan Toney makes no mistake from the spot to make it 1-0. Al-Ahli lead now to go with their 62% share of possession.
Twelve minutes on the clock and Al-Ahli continue to enjoy the lion's share of the ball, 59% to be exact, but Al-Riyadh haven't budged from their defensive shape. Still goalless, still waiting for someone to change the rhythm.
Just past the ten-minute mark and the pattern holds, Al-Ahli still shading possession while Al-Riyadh sit back and stay tidy. Nothing doing in either box just yet.
Ten minutes gone and it's still Al-Ahli dictating the tempo, edging possession at 55% without really forcing the issue. Al-Riyadh are content to let them have the ball out wide, showing no urgency to press higher up.
Still the same story here, Al-Ahli camped in possession and Al-Riyadh content to stay organised without the ball. No real breakthrough yet, just patience from the hosts as the clock ticks past eight minutes.
Al-Ahli continue to control things patiently, ticking the ball around at 72% possession while Al-Riyadh stay compact and wait. Nothing threatening yet, just a slow build from the home side.
Early days here and Al-Ahli are already dominating the ball, holding it for long spells against a Al-Riyadh side happy to sit back. Still nothing clear-cut to show for it, but the pattern is clear five minutes in.