Ivan Toney Shines in Al-Ahli Draw Against Ronaldo's Al-Nassr

Ivan Toney delivered a strong debut for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, playing the full 90 minutes in their 1-1 draw against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. Toney, who transferred from Brentford to Al-Ahli for £40 million on August 31, joined a lineup featuring high-profile teammates such as former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino, ex-Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez and former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Both teams showcased their attacking prowess during the match. Franck Kessie formerly of AC Milan and Barcelona scored for Al-Ahli with a superb strike from the edge of the box. Kessie’s goal looked set to secure victory for Al-Ahli until a dramatic turn of events in stoppage time. Bassam al Hurayji scored an own goal, allowing Al-Nassr to equalize and earn a share of the points.

Before the match, Al-Nassr fans celebrated Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent milestone by unveiling a tifo honoring his 900th career goal which he scored for Portugal during the international break. The game’s atmosphere buzzed with excitement, as Ronaldo’s achievement added extra significance to the fixture. Fans highly anticipated Toney’s debut for Al-Ahli given his impressive form at Brentford and the significant transfer fee.

His performance against Al-Nassr demonstrated his ability to contribute immediately to his new team. Despite the late own goal, Ivan Toney’s presence and the caliber of his teammates highlight Al-Ahli’s ambitions in the Saudi Pro League. As the season unfolds, Toney and his teammates will aim to build on their strong start and vie for top honors in Saudi Arabia’s top flight.

The draw against Al-Nassr featuring a late equalizer, underscores the league’s competitive nature and sets the stage for an exciting season ahead.