Toney hat-trick settles five-goal thriller to dent Al-Hilal´s title hopes

Ivan Toney’s second-half hat-trick dealt Al-Hilal’s Saudi Pro League title hopes a huge blow after they were beaten 3-2 by Al-Ahli at Kingdom Arena on Friday.

Al-Hilal remain five points behind leaders Al-Ittihad in the table, with Lauren Blanc’s side facing Al-Okhdood on Sunday with the chance to tighten their grip on the title.

After a first half of few chances, Toney opened the scoring two minutes after the restart, with his strike taking a touch off Yassine Bounou on its way into the back of the net.

The England international then rounded off a slick attacking move to double his and Al-Ahli’s lead, tucking the ball home from inside the box after being found by Galeno.

But Al-Hilal responded soon after through captain Salem Al Dawsari, with the hosts then awarded a penalty to level the contest after Ali Majrashi handled the ball inside the box.

Marcos Leonardo stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick beyond the grasp of Edouard Mendy in the 81st minute, but there was more drama to come in the closing stages.

A hopeful knock over the top from Gabri Veiga caught Al-Hilal napping, with Toney collecting the pass before drilling a left-footed strike home to seal a huge three points for Al-Ahli.

The result moved Al-Ahli level on points with Al-Nassr in the standings after Stefano Pioli’s side were stunned 2-1 by 11th-placed Al-Orubah.

Omar Al Somah starred for Al-Orubah at Al-Jouf University Stadium with a goal and an assist, helping the hosts pick up their first league win against Al-Nassr at the sixth attempt.

Cristiano Ronaldo saw an early effort fail to test Rafi Al Ruwaili in the Al-Orubah goal, before Majed Qasheesh also tried his luck without reward for the visitors.

Al-Orubah edged into a deserved lead five minutes before the break when Al Somah netted his 149th Pro League goal with a brilliantly taken half-volley that left Bento stranded.

However, Nawaf Bu Washl restored parity shortly after the restart after being found by Angelo. But despite Ronaldo and Wesley going close, Al-Orubah went ahead once again.

After surviving a spell of sustained pressure, Johann Gudmundsson tried his luck from distance and rattled a stunning left-footed effort into the roof of the net.

Though Al-Nassr continued to probe for an equaliser in the closing stages, they were unable to find it, dealing their own hopes of the title a huge blow.