Al-Riyadh 0-1 Al-Ahli: Borjan own goal sends visitors top of Pro League

Milan Borjan’s own goal was enough to give Al-Ahli a 1-0 win over Al-Riyadh, sending them top of the Saudi Pro League.

Ibanez, Galeno and Ivan Toney all had goals ruled out as Al-Ahli tried to add to their scoreline, but they got a stroke of luck at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium to clinch all three points.

Galeno saw a free-kick parried by Borjan midway through the first half before Teddy Okou fired wide while under pressure one-on-one with Edouard Mendy shortly after at the other end.

Al-Ahli put the pressure back on heading into the break, though, with Ziyad Al Johani’s tight-angled header needing to be pushed away by Borjan, while Ibanez had a goal from a similar position ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

After the break, Al Johani had a volley on the half-turn cleared off the line before Borjan acrobatically kept out Toney’s first-time effort moments later.

Galeno then saw a header parried by Borjan, and though he slotted in on the follow-up, he was denied by the offside flag.

But in the 75th minute, Borjan inadvertently punched the ball into his own net while under pressure on a Galeno corner, gifting Al-Ahli the opening they had been searching for.

Toney picked out the bottom-left corner following a lightning-quick counter, but once again, Al-Ahli were denied as the goal was denied after a VAR review.

Data Debrief: Al-Ahli’s dominance pays off

Al-Ahli had 15 shots in Riyadh, with six of those on target, while creating 1.51 expected goals (xG), but it was not one of their own that hit the back of the net, not that they will care.

Al-Riyadh, by contrast, had 13 shots worth 1.23 xG, though none of them hit the target in a disappointing display.

Al-Ahli have now kept 14 clean sheets in the Saudi Pro League this season, more than they managed last season.