Al-Ahli 3-2 Al-Taawoun: Allan Saint-Maximin scores stunning winner for hosts in five-goal thriller as ex-Newcastle star nets his first goal for Saudi Pro League side since £25m summer switch
- Riyad Mahrez collected an assist for his new teammate as Al-Ahli took early lead
- Al-Ahli took an early 2-0 lead but this gap was swiftly closed to level the scoring
- Saint-Maximin moved to Saudi Pro League side for a fee of around £23million
Former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez continued his successful run in the Saudi Pro League after securing an early assist against Al-Taawoun.
Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez both started for the Saudi club, alongside Newcastle star Allan Saint Maximin.
Saint-Maximin netted a stunning winner from outside the box, folllowed by a spectacular somersaulting celebration to wow his new Saudi Pro League fans
Al-Ahli took an early lead to make it 2-0, though the gap was closed swiftly, thanks to goals from Joao Pedro Pereira dos Santos and Musa Barrow.
Into the second half, Allan Saint-Maximin struck gold from outside the box with a stunning winner that clinched the eventual 3-2 victory.
Riyad Mahrez moved from Manchester City to Al-Ahli after winning the treble last year
Saint-Maximin scored the winning goal for his new side with a strike from outside the box
The Frenchman made over 100 appearances for Newcastle after moving from Ligue 1 side Nice
Firmino and Mahrez started for the Saudi club, alongside Newcastle star Allan Saint Maximin
MATCH FACTS
Al-Ahli: (4-2-3-1) Mendy, Majrashi, Ibañez, Hindi, Al-Ammar, Al-Majhad, Kessie, Mahrez, Veiga, Saint-Maximin, Firmino
Subs: Alhurayji (36), Al-Nabit (61), Al-Zubaidi, Alrashidi (84), Al Hamad, Aljohani, Yaslam (83), Al-Asmari, Abdulaziz Abdo
Goalscorers: Hindi (4), Al-Ahmed OG (23)
Cards: Majrashi (27), Ibañez (60), Hindi (87, 90+5 Red), Alhurayji (90+10)
Al- Taawoun: (4-3-3) Maylson, Al-Ghamdi, Girotto, Al-Ahmed, Faqeehi, Flavio, El Mahdioui, Medran, Mateus, Pereira dos Santos, Bahusayn
Subs: Al-Saluli (46), Barrow (46), Al Roqi, Al-Shammeri (83), Abdulrazzaq (75), Mohammed Al Fiqi, Aldhulayfi, Madani, Mohamed (83)
Goalscorers: Pereira dos Santos (45+3), Barrow (51)
Cards: Flavio (66)
The Frenchman joined Al-Ahli for a reported fee of around £23million, in amongst a wave of Premier League stars making the swap to the Saudi Pro League for eye-watering fees.
The winger, 26, registered his first goal as an Al-Ahli player, having made six appearances for his new club so far.
Chelsea’s ex-goalkeeper Edouard Mendy started for Al-Ahli, though failed to stop shots from Pereira dos Santos and Musa Barrow of Al-Taawoun.
Saint-Maximin’s late strike went onto clinch the three points for the Saudi Pro League side.
Musa Barrow thought he had secured himself a brace when he hit the back of the net in stoppage time.
VAR ruled out the goal, securing the win for Al-Ahli after the club spent big this summer in their hopes to challenge Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr for the title.
Abdulbasit Hindi was sent off in stoppage time, alongside Spanish midfielder Alvaro Medran – with both teams down to ten-men in added time.
Al-Ahli sit third in the league, while Al-Taawoun are close behind them in fourth.
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