England striker Ivan Toney made his much-anticipated debut for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli as they played to a 1-1 draw against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
The 28-year-old, who completed a £40 million move from Brentford on August 31, featured for the full 90 minutes in a match that showcased the wealth of talent in the Saudi league.
Toney lined up alongside several high-profile stars at Al-Ahli, including former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino, ex-Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, and former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. His debut was closely watched, given Al-Ahli’s significant investment in bolstering their squad.
Al-Ahli took the lead in the encounter through Franck Kessie, a former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder. Kessie scored with a stunning strike from the edge of the box, showcasing his class and giving Toney’s new side an early advantage. Despite their dominance, Al-Ahli couldn’t hold onto the lead. Deep into injury time, Al-Nassr snatched a point after a Bassam al Hurayji own goal leveled the match.
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The draw left both teams with mixed feelings, as Al-Ahli hoped to claim all three points in Toney’s debut.
While Ivan Toney didn’t find the back of the net in his debut, his addition to the team is expected to significantly strengthen Al-Ahli’s attacking options as the season progresses.
The English striker’s performance, combined with the attacking talents of Firmino and Mahrez, hints at a promising campaign for the Saudi club.
