KSAsportz report
JEDDAH — In a thrilling encounter at the Jeddah derby on Saturday, Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez delivered a game-winning goal that propelled Al Ahli to a narrow 1-0 victory over city rivals Al Ittihad. This match not only secured crucial points for Al Ahli but also intensified the struggles of the defending champions in the Roshn Saudi League.
Following this victory, Al Ahli ascended to fifth place on the league table with a total of 16 points. Meanwhile, Al Ittihad remains mired in eighth place with only 11 points, as the team continues to grapple with a winless streak that now extends to five consecutive league matches.
Despite a promising start characterized by their ball control, Al Ittihad struggled to convert possession into tangible opportunities. Captain Karim Benzema, a key player for the team, was unable to test Al Ahli’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, leaving the squad frustrated throughout the match.
Al Ahli demonstrated their attacking prowess late in the first half when midfielder Franck Kessie came agonizingly close to scoring but was ultimately flagged offside.
The breakthrough for Al Ahli came in the 55th minute, when Mahrez skillfully controlled the ball inside the penalty area before executing a composed, low finish past Al Ittihad’s goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.
Mendy played a pivotal role in securing the win for Al Ahli, making a remarkable save against a header from Al Ittihad’s Danilo deep into stoppage time.
This result adds further pressure on Al Ittihad’s faltering campaign, while Al Ahli’s consistent performance positions them as strong contenders early in the league season, showing promise as they aim for a top finish.