Al-Ahli Tops Saudi Pro League After Borjan Own Goal Seals 1-0 Win Over Al-Riyadh

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Al-Ahli moved to the top of the Saudi Pro League with a 1-0 victory over Al-Riyadh, secured by a Milan Borjan own goal. The decisive moment arrived from a corner in the second half, after Al-Ahli had already seen three goals disallowed by VAR for offside.

The visitors controlled long spells at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, repeatedly forcing saves from Milan Borjan while limiting Al-Riyadh to efforts that missed the target. Despite creating several clear chances and posting stronger attacking numbers, Al-Ahli ultimately needed a defensive error to separate the teams.

Match data underlined Al-Ahli’s superiority across the ninety minutes in Riyadh. Al-Ahli attempted 15 shots, six of those on target, generating 1.51 expected goals. Al-Riyadh produced 13 shots worth 1.23 expected goals, yet failed to register a single effort on target in a flat attacking display.

Defensively, the result continued a strong trend for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League. This shutout was Al-Ahli’s 14th clean sheet of the league campaign, already higher than the total recorded last season. Edouard Mendy was largely protected, as Al-Riyadh’s finishing lacked accuracy throughout.

The first half swung between the sides without a breakthrough. Galeno forced a parry from Milan Borjan with a direct free-kick, before Teddy Okou shot wide under pressure in a one-on-one with Edouard Mendy. Al-Ahli responded as Ziyad Al Johani’s tight-angled header demanded another Borjan save.

Al-Ahli thought the deadlock was broken before half-time when Ibanez finished from a similar angle to Al Johani, but VAR spotted offside and cancelled the strike. Early in the second period, Al Johani’s half-turn volley was cleared off the line, then Borjan denied Ivan Toney’s first-time effort acrobatically.

Al-Ahli continued to threaten, and Galeno’s header brought another Borjan stop, with the winger scoring the rebound, only for the offside flag to intervene again. The breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute when Milan Borjan, under pressure from a Galeno corner, punched the ball into Borjan’s own net.

Al-Ahli still had further frustration late on. Ivan Toney finished a rapid counter-attack into the bottom-left corner, apparently securing a second goal, but VAR once more intervened and ruled the attempt out. Despite those setbacks, Al-Ahli’s sustained pressure and defensive control were enough to secure first place.