Red-hot Toney hits hat-trick to rock Al Hilal, give perfect birthday present to son | OneFootball

Ivan Toney continued his incredible form on Friday night by registering his first Roshn Saudi League hat-trick to fire Al Ahli to a memorable late win at Al Hilal – and then dedicated the feat to his son.

The England striker got all three goals in a thrilling encounter at Kingdom Arena, with Al Ahli emerging 3-2 victors to boost their top-three hopes while Al Hilal’s title defence too another dent.

Toney scored two quick-fire goals within the first eight minutes of the second half to put the visitors 2-0 up, only for the RSL champions to fight back through Salem Al Dawsari and Leonardo’s 83rd-minute penalty to set up a fantastic finale.

However, it was Al Ahli and Toney who had the last laugh, the in-form frontman putting the finishing touch to a second Gabri Veiga assist three minutes from time to snatch the points.

Rather remarkably, the goal represented Toney’s 12th in his past seven RSL matches, and lifted him to 16 for his debut campaign since making the move last summer from English Premier League side Brentford.

“We dug it out and the boys worked very hard,” a delighted Toney said afterwards. “And especially to get a hat-trick; especially because it’s my son’s birthday tomorrow, so a present for him when I get home.”

The dramatic win moved Al Ahli into fourth in the table, level on 47 points with Cristiano Ronaldo’s third-placed Al Nassr following their defeat on Friday at Al Orobah.

Al Ahli, though, are one of the hottest teams in the RSL at the moment having on Tuesday defeated Al Qadsiah, then in third, 4-1 before seeing off Al Hilal. Jorge Jesus’ side stay five points behind league leaders Al Ittihad, who have a game in hand.

On Al Ahli’s first victory against Al Hilal in eight RSL attempts, Toney said: “Means a lot. I think we owed them; it’s been a long time since we beat them. We worked hard, it was back-to-back games, we had a game three days ago, and were tired.

“But it shows the spirit we have in the changing room and the players coming on did well also.”

Toney later posted a message on his Instagram account adding: “What a feeling to score a hat-trick and secure the win with a late goal! Ramadan Kareem to everyone.”