JEDDAH — Riyad Mahrez struck a stunning extra-time free-kick to fire Al Ahli into the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Al Duhail on Monday.
The decisive moment came three minutes from the end of extra time at King Abdullah Sports City, just moments after Ivan Toney had seen his penalty saved by goalkeeper Salah Zakaria, with the tie seemingly heading toward a shootout.
Mahrez, however, delivered a moment of brilliance, curling a free-kick from outside the box into the net to send the defending champions through, where they will face Johor Darul Ta’zim in the next round.
Al Ahli started brightly, with Mahrez going close early on, while Toney tested Zakaria with a well-struck free-kick.
Despite the hosts’ early dominance, Al Duhail threatened midway through the first half, with Benjamin Bourigeaud striking the post from a set-piece.
Edouard Mendy was called into action before halftime, producing key saves to deny Edmilson Junior as the visitors grew into the match.
The second half saw chances at both ends, with Roger Ibañez and Mahrez going close for Al Ahli, while Mendy again stood firm to keep out Al Duhail efforts.
In a dramatic finale to regular time, Al Duhail struck the woodwork twice, while Al Ahli also came close through a deflected effort that hit the crossbar, forcing the match into extra time.
Al Ahli thought they had their chance to win it when a VAR review awarded them a penalty after a foul on Ziyad Al-Johani, but Zakaria denied Toney from the spot.
That save proved only a temporary reprieve. Moments later, Mahrez stepped up to deliver a match-winning free-kick, sealing a hard-fought victory and keeping Al Ahli’s continental title defense alive.
Source: Saudi Gazette