Sports
Al-Ahli 4-1 Al-Khaleej: Toney hat-trick cuts gap to Al-Hilal
Ivan Toney scored a hat-trick as Al-Ahli thrashed Al-Khaleej 4-1 to eat into Al-Hilal’s lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League.
With the champions not in action until they take on Al-Feiha on Thursday, Matthias Jaissle’s men knew a sixth straight victory would take them within four points of the summit.
They had to come from behind after Giorgos Masouras opened the scoring 19 minutes in, but Toney led a stirring second-half fightback.
The former Brentford man powered Ali Majrashi’s left-wing cross home in the 59th minute, and just eight minutes later, he reacted quickest to Anthony Moris spilling Galeno’s shot to make it 2-1.
Toney’s hat-trick goal was a simple one, as he converted from close range after Riyad Mahrez headed across goal, and there was still time for Rayan Hamed to score the hosts’ fourth goal on the volley, after a corner led to a scramble in the Al-Khaleej area.
Elsewhere, Al-Shabab played out a goalless draw against Al-Najma, while Al-Kholood registered a thumping 5-2 win at Al-Fateh.
Straight from the pitch #AlAhli #RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/0uRxRJOinB
— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) January 20, 2026
Data Debrief: Toney continues to carry the load
Toney’s hat-trick was his second in the Saudi Pro League, having also netted a treble in a 3-2 win over Al-Hilal on February 28, 2025.
The England international has now scored nine of Al-Ahli’s last 13 goals in the competition, netting 14 times this season – those goals have been worth 17 points to his team, the most of any player in the division.
Al-Ahli’s run of six straight victories is their longest since a seven-match streak in 2016-17, and they thoroughly deserved the three points after generating 3.04 expected goals (xG) from 16 shots, compared to Al-Khaleej’s 0.36 xG and five attempts.
