Al-Ahli secured a 1-0 victory over Neom in their Saudi Pro League opener, with Ivan Toney scoring the decisive goal. Enzo Millot impressed on his debut, providing the assist. Neom pushed for an equalizer, but Al-Ahli’s defense held firm. Millot’s all-around performance stood out, creating chances and contributing defensively. The win marks a positive start for Al-Ahli in a league attracting global talent.
Al-Ahli began their Saudi Pro League journey with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Neom in their opening match at home. The highly anticipated game saw Ivan Toney's composed finish in the first half securing all three points for the hosts. Following Al-Ettifaq’s 2-1 triumph over Al-Kholood, Al-Ahli currently sits second in the league table, demonstrating their ambition to compete at the highest level this season.
The match started cautiously, with both teams feeling each other out. However, Al-Ahli gradually found their rhythm midway through the first half. A moment of brilliance from Enzo Millot saw him display exceptional strength to fend off a challenge before delivering a superb through ball to Toney. The striker calmly placed his shot into the bottom-right corner, giving Al-Ahli the lead in the 23rd minute.
Neom, determined to respond, came close to equalizing early in the second half. Alexandre Lacazette found himself with a golden opportunity just four minutes after the restart. Saimon Bouabre's well-placed pass found Lacazette unmarked in the box, but his effort was thwarted by an excellent save from Al-Ahli's goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.
Despite conceding, Neom maintained pressure throughout the second half, with Bouabre and Amadou Kone testing Mendy with further attempts. However, Al-Ahli's defense stood firm, limiting the visitors to few clear-cut chances. Mendy proved to be a formidable barrier, making another crucial save in the 87th minute to deny Ali Al Asmari's long-range effort. Adding to the drama, Lacazette thought he had salvaged a point for Neom with a goal in the 90th minute, but his celebrations were cut short as the goal was ruled out for offside.
نهاية المباراة
الأهلي – نيوم
️24’ – توني pic.twitter.com/09x0ZDPLeY— النادي الأهلي السعودي (@ALAHLI_FC) August 28, 2025
Data Debrief: Millot's Impressive Debut
Although the scoreline suggests a close contest, Al-Ahli demonstrated their dominance by creating more goal-scoring opportunities. Their expected goals (xG) tally reached 1.0, while Neom only managed 0.49.
Enzo Millot had a significant impact for Al-Ahli in his Saudi Pro League debut. He not only provided the assist for the winning goal but also showcased his all-around abilities. Millot created the joint-most chances in the match (two), completed the second-most passes in the final third (13), contested the most duels (15), and made two interceptions.
Millot, a French youth international, has quickly adapted to his new surroundings, directly contributing to goals in all three of his competitive appearances for Al-Ahli. He scored in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final before setting up the opening goal in the final, further highlighting his potential to be a key player for the team.
The victory marks a positive start to Al-Ahli's Saudi Pro League campaign, instilling confidence and setting the stage for a promising season. With a blend of experienced players and talented newcomers, Al-Ahli aims to challenge for top honors and make a significant impact on the league. Their next match will be crucial in maintaining momentum and solidifying their position among the league's elite teams.
Neom, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from this defeat and secure their first victory of the season in their upcoming games. Despite the loss, they showed glimpses of their potential and will be determined to improve their performance and achieve their objectives in the Saudi Pro League. The team will analyze their mistakes from this match and work on strengthening their defense and improving their attacking efficiency.
The Saudi Pro League is witnessing significant investment and attracting top talent from around the world, increasing the competition and excitement for fans. Al-Ahli's victory over Neom is just the beginning of what promises to be a thrilling season with numerous twists and turns. Football enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the upcoming matches and the unfolding storylines that will shape the landscape of Saudi Arabian football.
Both teams will be looking to continue to evolve over the course of the season as the league continues to attract some of the biggest names in football. The influx of new talent has made the league one of the most exciting in the world and there will be plenty of drama and intrigue as the season goes on.