Al-Ahli 2-0 Al-Fayha: Ibanez scores and sent off in Saudi Pro League win

Ibanez scored and was sent off late on but Al-Ahli were able to see out the closing stages to seal a 2-0 victory over Al-Fayha in the Saudi Pro League.

Al-Ahli captain Ibanez had powered his team two goals in front with a powerful 64th-minute header before being handed a straight red card for a reckless challenge.

The hosts needed just six minutes to alter the scoreline when Toney was on hand to calmly side foot Galeno’s cross into the bottom-right corner after Ziyad Al Johani’s ball forward.

Matthias Jaissle’s side were unable to double their advantage before the break, with Al Johani blazing over Orlando Mosquera’s net, but did see Galeno’s volley cannon against the base of the post within two minutes of the restart.

Al-Fayha, though, found their groove and only a fine stop from Abdulrahman Al Sanbi denied Jason’s shot from distance before Nawaf Al Harthi’s neat flick clipped the crossbar.

But for all of their pressure, Al-Ahli caught their opponents out with a simple set-piece, with Ibanez rising highest to power Galeno’s inviting corner into the back of the net.

However, Ibanez was handed a straight red card with five minutes remaining for a poor tackle on Sabri Dahal, with his yellow card upgraded after a lengthy VAR review.

Despite being a man down, Al-Ahli came close to pulling further clear in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, but Toney’s strike from a tight angle was repelled.

Data Debrief: Galeno and Toney star in Mahrez’s absence

After losing their first league game without talisman Riyad Mahrez, who has departed for AFCON, against Al-Fateh last time out, Al-Ahli needed their forward players to step up in the Algerian’s absence, and two of their big-hitters delivered here.

Toney’s early goal set the tone at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium. The England international has now scored six goals in 10 league appearances this season, a total only bettered by Roger Martinez (seven), Joshua King (10), Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix (both 12).

He also finished the game with team-high totals for shots (four) and touches in the opposition box (seven), while Galeno created more chances (three) and produced more crosses (five) than any other player for Al-Ahli.

Al-Ahli were worthy of their win, having registered an expected goals (xG) total of 1.98 from 10 shots to Al-Fayha’s 0.39 from eight attempts, only one of which was on target.