Incredible Toney's Hot Streak Continues as Hat-Trick Sends Al Ahli Second
Ivan Toney continued his incredible run of form in front of goal, hitting a stunning hat-trick against Al Khaleej on Tuesday night and thrusting Al Ahli into second place in the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League. The Englishman, who was second in the race for last season’s golden boot, was the driving force behind the hosts' turnaround in the Matchweek 17 clash at Alinma Stadium.
Early Lead Turned Around
The visitors, Al Khaleej, traveled to Jeddah and took an early lead through Giorgos Masouras. However, Toney, who has been nothing short of sensational since his move to Saudi Arabia, struck his treble in an 18-minute blitz in the second half. He equalized right on the hour mark, fired Al Ahli into the lead, and then doubled their advantage, completely shifting the momentum of the game.
The hosts eventually ran out 4-1 winners, with Rayan Hamed adding a late fourth goal just four minutes from time. The victory was Al Ahli’s sixth on the bounce in the RSL, a run of form that now lifts the Asian champions into second spot in the league standings.
Al Ahli's Rise in the Standings
Al Ahli now sit three points ahead of Al Nassr and Al Taawoun, who are tied for third, and are just four points off the leaders, Al Hilal. However, it’s worth noting that all three of those teams still have matches in hand. This means the race for the title is far from over, and Al Ahli’s surge, largely thanks to Toney’s goals, has certainly injected a fresh dose of excitement into the competition.
With his hat-trick, Toney moved up to second in the 2025-26 RSL scoring charts, now just one goal behind Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar, who won the past two golden boots, narrowly pipped Toney to the award last term – the latter’s debut season in Saudi Arabia. This puts Toney in hot pursuit and keeps the battle for the top scorer title alive and incredibly thrilling.
Toney's Scorching Form
Toney, who notched the winner for Al Ahli in the two previous matchweeks, now has an astonishing 11 goals in his past nine appearances across all competitions. In the RSL alone, he has scored a remarkable nine of his team’s past 13 goals. This level of consistency and impact is rare, and it’s clear that Toney has become the focal point of Al Ahli’s attack.
Manager's Praise for Toney
Speaking after the match, Al Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle paid tribute to his on-fire frontman for flipping his form around from earlier in the campaign. “First of all, it’s incredible the run he has now,” the German said. “He’s so important for the team. Up front, you always have the feeling that something can happen, something special.
“And that’s the typical example for a footballer who’s reacting in the best way if things aren’t not going in the next direction. I remember many [of the media] were criticizing him; he had the tough period. He, also at one point, was not starting. And the reaction matters. Therefore, I’m really proud of him, how he was turning that momentum around, by hard work, by pushing, and totally deserved that run he has right now.
“Really proud, and just really happy for him – and the team as well.” Jaissle’s words highlight the incredible resilience and determination Toney has shown, turning a period of criticism into one of the most impressive goal-scoring runs in the league.
The Race for the Golden Boot
With Ronaldo also involved in the race, the battle for the golden boot is heating up. Toney’s form means that every time he steps onto the pitch, he’s a significant threat. His hat-trick against Al Khaleej not only helped his team climb the standings but also kept him firmly in the mix for the top scorer award. This rivalry between Toney and Ronaldo adds another layer of excitement to the Saudi Pro League, which is already one of the most competitive leagues in the world.
Impact on the League
Al Ahli’s rise to second place has certainly made the league more unpredictable. With teams like Al Hilal, Al Nassr, and Al Taawoun still in the mix, the title race is wide open. Toney’s influence on his team’s performance cannot be overstated. His presence gives Al Ahli a chance to compete with the very best in the league, and his goals are often the difference between winning and losing.
The victory over Al Khaleej was a statement of intent from Al Ahli. They are now a team to be reckoned with, and Toney is undoubtedly the man leading the charge. His hat-trick was a masterclass in efficiency and precision, and it showcased why he is one of the most feared strikers in the league.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Toney to see if he can maintain this incredible form. The competition for the golden boot is likely to intensify, and with Ronaldo still very much in the hunt, Toney will need to keep delivering match-winning performances. For Al Ahli, the coming matches will be crucial as they look to build on their recent success and challenge for the league title.
The Saudi Pro League has been a whirlwind of excitement this season, and Toney’s exploits have been at the heart of it all. His hat-trick against Al Khaleej was just another chapter in what has been a remarkable season for the English striker. As the league reaches its halfway point, one thing is clear: Ivan Toney is a player who is not just scoring goals but also making history.
