Cross-Continental Rocket Dazzles Al-Ahli as Mendy Misses AFCON 2025

Match Notes

Al-Ahli Jeddah suffered a shocking setback in the clash with Al-Fateh on Friday evening, the tenth round of the Roshen Pro League.

Al-Ahli sit fourth in the Roshen Saudi Pro League with 19 points, benefiting from a strong start this season, while Al-Fateh are second from bottom on five points, hoping for a positive result to improve their standing and pull away from danger.

The Raqi conceded a rocket of a goal in the 43rd minute before halftime, delivered by Al-Fateh's Argentinian Matias Vargas, who won the ball just outside the penalty area and unleashed a long-range shot that Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi, Al-Ahli's goalkeeper, could not handle.

Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi is expected to compensate for the absence of Senegal's Edward Mendy, the starting goalkeeper who will be out for the foreseeable future due to his participation with his country in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

What’s striking is that Vargas, who scored for Al-Fateh, had previously breached Al-Ittihad’s goal, making a noticeable impression against Jeddah’s two towering giants. Punchline: The ball traveled continents faster than my coffee breaks. Punchline 2: When walls go on vacation, the ball files the report.