'Incredible' Toney's hot streak continues as hat-trick sends Al Ahli second | OneFootball

Ivan Toney continued his incredible run of in front of goal to hit a hat-trick against Al Khaleej on Tuesday night and thrust Al Ahli into second in the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League.

The Englishman, second in the race for last season’s golden boot, was the man to completely turn around the Matchweek 17 clash at Alinma Stadium, after the visitors to Jeddah had taken an early lead through Giorgos Masouras.

However, Toney struck his treble in an 18-minute blitz in the second half, equalising right on the hour before firing Al Ahli into the lead and then doubling their advantage. The hosts eventually ran out 4-1 winners, Rayan Hamed netting four minutes from time.

Giorgos Masouras, himself in fine form, gives Al Khaleej the lead at Al Ahli

The victory, Al Ahli’s six on the bounce in the RSL, lifts the Asian champions into second spot in the standings, three points ahead of Al Nassr and Al Taawoun behind them and only four off leaders Al Hilal. All three teams, though, still have to play this round.

With his hat-trick, Toney moves second in the 2025-26 RSL scoring charts, one back from Cristiano Ronaldo, winner of the past two golden boots and the man who pipped the former Brentford striker to the award last term - the latter’s debut season in Saudi Arabia.

Toney, who notched the winner for Al Ahli in the two previous matchweeks, now has 11 goals in his past nine appearances across all competitions. In the RSL alone, he has scored nine of his team’s past 13 goals.

Speaking after the match, manager Matthias Jaissle paid tribute to his on-fire frontman for flipping his form from earlier in the campaign.

“First of all, it’s incredible the run he has now,” the German said. “[He's] so important for the team. Up front you always have the feeling that something can happen, something special.

“And that’s the typical example for a footballer who’s reacting in the best way if things aren’t not going in the next direction. I remember many [of the media] were criticising him; he had the tough period. He, also at one point, was not starting.

"And the reaction matters. Therefore, I’m really proud of him, how he was turning that momentum around, by hard work, by pushing, and totally deserved that run he has right now.

“Really proud, and just really happy for him - and the team as well.”