Reigning Asian club champions Al Ahli Saudi faced difficult resistance from Qatar’s Al Duhail but Riyad Mahrez provided a moment of magic to keep Ahli’s AFC Champions League Elite title defense on course.
The Algeria national team star curled in a perfect free kick for the only goal of the match in the second half of extra time after the two teams could not find a goal through ninety minutes.
It was a tense match for the hosts at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, where the Saudi Pro League giants struggled to find their way past a well-organized Duhail defense. Duhail goalkeeper Salah Zakaria faced few challenges until extra time arrived with the score still locked at 0-0.
Mahrez spares AFC Champions League holders from penalties
In extra time, it appeared that the hosts would put away their stingy opponents after a penalty kick was awarded in the second half. But Zakaria produced a massive save from Ivan Toney’s spot kick to keep Duhail’s hopes alive.
ايفان توني يهدر ركلة الجزاء لصالح الاهلي 🤯#الاهلي_الدحيل https://t.co/zi7bqD8pf7 pic.twitter.com/f67i2i09d6
— KHALID ALOLYAN 🇸🇦🐪 (@OLYAN15K) April 13, 2026
But five minutes later, Mahrez spared his club and Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy from a suspenseful penalty shootout by curling in the winning goal.
Mahrez now has four goals in the competition, to go along with four goals in the Saudi Pro League this season. He was influential in the final stages of Ahli’s successful Champions League Elite campaign last season and will look to continue his heroics in the quarterfinals, where a duel with Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim awaits on Friday at the same venue.
