Al-Riyadh 0-1 Al-Ahli: Borjan Own Goal Propels Visitors to Top of Saudi Pro League

In a match filled with near-misses and controversy, Al-Ahli clinched a crucial 1-0 win against Al-Riyadh at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, thanks to an own goal from Al-Riyadh's goalkeeper Milan Borjan. This result catapults Al-Ahli to the summit of the Saudi Pro League, marking a significant boost to their title aspirations.

Al-Ahli dominated possession and chances throughout the game but were repeatedly thwarted by VAR decisions and stout defending. Goals from Ibanez, Galeno, and Ivan Toney were all ruled out for offside, leaving the visitors frustrated in their quest to break the deadlock.

The first half saw Al-Ahli testing Borjan early on, with Galeno's free-kick parried away midway through the period. Al-Riyadh had a rare opportunity when Teddy Okou fired wide in a one-on-one situation against Edouard Mendy. As the half wore on, Ziyad Al Johani's tight-angled header forced another save from Borjan, and Ibanez's goal from a similar angle was chalked off following a VAR review.

Post-interval, the pressure intensified. Al Johani's volley on the half-turn was cleared off the line, and Borjan produced an acrobatic save to deny Toney's first-time effort. Galeno headed straight at the keeper before slotting in the rebound, only to be flagged offside once more.

The turning point came in the 75th minute during a Galeno corner. Under pressure, Borjan inadvertently punched the ball into his own net, gifting Al-Ahli the lead they deserved based on their performance. Later, Toney's clinical finish on a quick counter was disallowed by VAR, ensuring the scoreline remained tight.

Data from the match highlights Al-Ahli's superiority: they registered 15 shots, six on target, generating 1.51 expected goals (xG). Al-Riyadh managed 13 shots worth 1.23 xG but failed to hit the target even once. This victory extends Al-Ahli's impressive defensive record, with 14 clean sheets in the league this season—surpassing their entire previous campaign.