Marez's Bite Seals the Jeddah Derby

Match snapshot

Al Ahli edged Al Ittihad 1-0 in the eighth round of the Roshen Saudi Pro League, with Riyad Mahrez scoring the decisive goal in the 55th minute from a cross that found him unmarked as he approached the far post.

The result lifts Al Ahli to 15 points in fifth place, while Al Ittihad stays on 11 in eighth. The game showcased a cleaner tactical approach from the home side, and a few costly errors from the visitors that decided the outcome.

First half and key moments

The atmosphere at the Enma Stadium in Jeddah was electric from the start. In the 11th minute Benzema tested the keeper, and in the 17th Mahrez sent in a cross that found no Ahli attacker in position. In the 19th Franck Kessi picked up an injury but continued, and in the 27th a header from Houssam Aouar came close, blocked by the defense.

The first period closed with neither side breaking the deadlock, but the tension was palpable as both teams pressed for an edge.

Second half and the decisive moment

After a probing start to the second half, Mahrez struck in the 55th minute, converting a cross as Rajković left his line. Al Ittihad pushed for an equalizer but found Al Ahli’s defense resolute.

At 60 minutes, changes were made as Jaissle sought to shore up midfield and attack. The visitors continued to press, with Moussa Diaby’s late header and other chances narrowly missing, and a late penalty appeal denied by the referee at 86.

Lineups and context

Al Ittihad started with Predrag Rajković in goal, a back line including Mohannad Al-Shenqiti, Hasma Kadsh, Danilo Pereira and Mario Mitai, with Ngolo Kanté, Awad Al-Nashri and Houssam Aouar in midfield and Roger Fernandes, Moussa Diaby and Karim Benzema in attack. Al Ahli lined up with Edouard Mendí in goal, a back four of Ali Majrashi, Merih Demiral, Roger Ibanez and Mohammed Bakr, a midfield trio of Valentin Attanajana, Franck Kessi and Enzo Milo, and up front Matheus Gonçalves, Riyad Mahrez and Firas Al-Breikan. Substitutes included Abdulrahman Al-Saibi, Abdullah Abdu, Muhammad Abdulrahman, Eid Al-Muladd, Fahd Al-Rashidi and others.

The opening minutes were charged with energy as fans filled the Enma Stadium with noise. It wasn’t until the 55th minute that Mahrez found the net from a tight angle after a clever cross, breaking the deadlock and tipping the balance in favor of Al Ahli.

Al Ittihad tried to respond, with substitutions aimed at adding bite and balance, but the defense and organization of Al Ahli held firm. A late push produced a few hopeful moments, including a contested claim for a penalty in the 86th minute that the referee dismissed.