Hat-trick hero: Second Toney treble in three games sees Al Ahli close gap at top to two

The Roshn Saudi League has a new top scorer.

And, with it, this twisting 2025-26 title race is very much on.

Ivan Toney hit a hat-trick on Wednesday night, his second treble in three matches, propelling Al Ahli to a comfortable 4-0 win against Al Ettifaq in Jeddah and to within two points of Al Hilal at the top of the table.

Now second - Al Hilal and third-placed Al Nassr have yet to play in Matchweek 19 - the Asian champions have burst into the championship challenge, the latest triumph at Alinma Stadium marking their eight successive RSL victory.

Toney has been central to that. Second in the top-scorer standings in his debut season last term, the dead-eyed Englishman has 18 goals already this campaign. Cristiano Ronaldo and Julian Quinones, his closest rivals in the race for the golden boot, are two back. 

Indeed, since the RSL returned from its international break on December 25, Toney has netted 13 times, this hat-trick against Al Ettifaq coming only eight days after he did the same against Al Khaleej.

Asked after receiving yet another Man of the Match award - Toney also assisted Al Ahli's other goal - about what a second match ball of the season meant to him, the former Brentford striker replied: “I’m focused on just one thing: winning the league.”

To go some way to doing that, Al Ahli will most likely have to get a result in what has become an even-more mouthwatering clash at Al Hilal on Monday.

First, though, Simone Inzaghi’s side will seek to get back to on track after Sunday 1-1 draw at Al Riyadh, which halted their 13-match win streak in the RSL. On Thursday, they take on fourth-placed Al Qadsiah in Dammam.

Job done against Al Ettifaq, Al Ahli can sit back and enjoy that encounter, no doubt hoping Brendan Rodgers’ rampant team, themselves with seven RSL wins on the bounce, can do them a favour.

For Al Ahli, however, they’re concentrated solely on their own form. So, eight consecutive victories in the top flight for the first time in their history: what’s the secret?

“I don't think it's a secret; I think we have to win all the games,” winger Galeno said. “Each game is a final and we don't want to recognise if it's the seventh or eighth win [in a row]. Every time we enter the pitch, we have to give our best and win every time.

“This is the thought of everyone here. Now we have to rest and, soon, we will have a great game [against Al Hilal].”