Roberto Firmino was on the scoresheet as Al-Ahli defeated Al-Ettifaq 2-1 on Monday to return to victory in the Saudi Pro League.
The victory for Al-Ahli, who saw a five-match winning streak in the league end last week, puts them level on points with Al-Nassr in fourth place.
Riyad Mahrez beat Gabri Veiga to send away a first-time finish from Marek Rodak from 15 yards with half an hour played.
The lively Mahrez had another chance to add a second before half-time after Rodak got himself into trouble but could not find the far corner.
However, Firmino gave the visitors some breathing space when he whipped home Saad Yaslam's cross at the back post in the 63rd minute at the Abdullah Al Dabil Stadium.
Al-Ettifaq pulled a goal back in the 91st minute through a cool finish from Georginio Wijnaldum, but that turned out to be no more than a consolation.
| PhotosAl-Ahli vs Al-Ettifaq #الأهلي_الاتفاق#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/D0h10zp7f5
— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) January 20, 2025
Data debrief: No home comforts for Al-Ettifaq
Al-Ettifaq were playing their 400th Saudi Pro League match – and their 200th on home soil – but they struggled to get much cheer from their supporters until Wijnaldum's late strike.
Instead, Veiga and Firmino earned the points for Al-Ahli, who had failed to win any of the previous three away games played on a Monday in the competition.
It means that Al-Ettifaq, who remain in 11th place, have now won just two of their last 12 matches against teams from Jeddah in the Pro League, including six without a win against such opponents on home soil.
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