Al Ahli secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Al Taawon in Monday’s Saudi Pro League match, a result that not only strengthened their own position but also handed a crucial advantage to rivals Al Ittihad in the title race.
The clash, part of the 32nd round of the Saudi Roshn League, saw Al Ahli rise to 75 points, remaining third in the standings, while Al Taawon stalled at 52 points in sixth place.
Ivan Toney opened the scoring for the hosts in the 17th minute with a clinical finish, but Al Taawon equalized through Angelo Volgini’s strike in the 55th minute. Just when the match seemed destined for a draw, Roger Ibañez headed home the winner in the 79th minute, sparking celebrations among the Al Ahli faithful.
The win was particularly significant for Al Ittihad, as it helped widen the gap between the title contenders and Al Taawon, effectively gifting the Jeddah club a valuable edge in the championship chase. With this result, Al Ahli also maintained their push for a top-three finish, while Al Taawon’s hopes of climbing higher took a setback.