Toney steals the show as Al-Ahli Jeddah thrashes Abha

The man of the match

Ivan Toney became the undisputed star of the match, scoring three goals and demonstrating why his rating was an impressive 9.7. With his hat-trick, the striker not only took the ball home but also made it clear that he is a key piece for Al-Ahli Jeddah in their quest for a spot in the Champions League.

The first goal came early, in the 5th minute, after an assist from Eduard Spertsyan. Toney then converted a penalty in the 13th minute before closing his personal account in the 57th minute with a pass from Francisco Trincão. A display of skill and opportunism that left Abha with no answers.

A clear dominance

Al-Ahli Jeddah not only won the match but also dominated most of the game. Although the final score was convincing, the home team had an xG of 2.83, reflecting a superiority in creating opportunities. In contrast, Abha was left with an xG of 1.27, which did not translate into goals.

During the first 45 minutes, Abha could barely cope with the local pressure, which was solid and well-organized. While in the second half, the visitors tried to react, it was Al-Ahli Jeddah who continued to dictate the pace of the game.

A match without surprises

With this victory, Al-Ahli Jeddah is positioned seventh in the Pro League, adding 3 points and maintaining a positive goal difference of +1. On the other hand, Abha finds itself in a complicated situation, occupying the 13th place with no points after two rounds.

Al-Ahli's defense, led by Edouard Mendy, kept their goal intact, which is a noteworthy fact for upcoming matches. The combination of a potent attack and a solid defense is what every team needs to aspire to the Champions zone.