Derby Drama in Jeddah: Mahrez Delivers as Al-Ahli Stuns Al-Ittihad 1-0
8 November 2025
Match overview
Al-Ahli Jeddah handed a clear message with a 1-0 win over their local rivals, Al-Ittihad, at the Al-Inma Stadium in the Saudi Pro League's eighth round. The decisive goal came from the Algerian star Riyad Mahrez, whose moment determined a tightly contested derby.
The victory lifts the Blue Wave to 15 points in fifth place, while Al-Ittihad remains in eighth with 11 points, highlighting a league campaign where every point in this city carries extra weight.
Riyad Mahrez shines
The highlight of the night was Mahrez's goal, a moment that defined the match and swung the momentum in favor of Al-Ahli. The club’s official account on X praised the win with light-hearted banter aimed at their rivals, including cheeky lines about what makes a true derby performance.
Social posts continued to tease Al-Ittihad, underscoring how the home side controlled key moments and used tactical discipline to blunt their neighbors’ advances. The win was celebrated as a team effort, with coaches and players giving credit to the collective performance.
Derby history and mood
The match represented the 100th league clash between the two giants. While the game didn’t explode with fireworks, it delivered the necessary intensity of a classic derby, with both sides guarding against risks and fighting for control in a match that carried the weight of history.
Head coach Matthias Jaissle praised his squad for sacrifices and unity, noting that the win was the fruit of collective effort and discipline. Captain Khalid Al-Ghamdi and other senior players echoed the sentiment, emphasizing ongoing title ambitions and strong performances at home and in matches that test the squad’s depth.
The atmosphere around the derbies in Jeddah remains uniquely charged, with fans and media shaping expectations ahead of future clashes. Jaissle also highlighted that football is played with the resources available, and the team must stay adaptable as the season progresses. A number of players were commended for their contributions, even those who faced cards or tough phases in previous games, as the team continued to push for league and continental honors.
Legendary status
The history of the rivalry goes back decades, with the first exchanges dating to 1938 and a domestic landscape that has produced countless memorable moments. The latest chapter adds another layer to the derby’s legacy, reinforcing why the clash remains one of Saudi football’s marquee events.
Takeaways
In a game that many expected to be a high-octane showdown, both teams offered a balanced performance with occasional sparks. The result demonstrates Al-Ahli’s growing competitive consistency and signals a continued challenge to the league’s top teams, while Al-Ittihad will look to rebound in subsequent rounds as they chase a strong finish this season.
And as the stadium lights dim, one thing is certain: in Jeddah, the drums keep beating for more memorable derbies, and Riyad Mahrez just handed fans another reason to smile. True legends never die—they just rotate their importance on the scoreboard.
