Toney firing again, Nkota's dazzling debut, Al Hazem hurt at death | OneFootball

Finally, the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League season is officially under way.

Thursday’s opening night of action saw a late comeback, debut goals, a club making their top-flight debut, and a first-up win for one of this season’s title favourites.

If you missed it – where were you? – or want to pour over the main talking points, here’s recap of everything that happened on the night the curtain came up on the 2025-26 RSL.

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Damac 1-1 Al Hazem

What could’ve been for Al Hazem in their first game back in the top tier after winning promotion last season.

Yes, it was a new-look side following the acquisition of established RSL stars such as Amir Sayoud, Fabio Martins and Omar Al Somah, while newly signed French midfielder Loreintz Rosier also made his first start.

Indeed, Martins scored the first goal of the new campaign from the penalty spot just before the hour mark and, when Al Hazem were awarded a second penalty deep into second-half stoppage-time, the three points looked secure.

Fabio Martins got the opening goal of the RSL campaign, from the penalty spot

However, inexplicably, Al Somah – the RSL’s all-time leading scorer, no less – skied his spot-kick over the bar and, just moments later, Al Hazem were made to pay.

Damac’s new Moroccan signing, Jamal Harkass, who featured for Wydad AC at the recent 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, headed home from a corner in the dying seconds of the game to snatch a share of the points. Al Hazem were denied a rousing RSL return in the most agonising of fashion.

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Al Ahli 1-0 NEOM SC

History was made in Jeddah with NEOM SC making their RSL debut, but it was Al Ahli who walked away with the three points in front of more than 40,000 at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah.

Fresh from winning the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong last week, the reigning Asian champions were keen to establish their title credentials and, midway through the first half, they struck when Enzo Millot slid in Ivan Toney for the England to place home.

Pairing their high-profile summer recruit with the club’s top scorer last season, it’s a combination that could prove incredibly fruitful this season.

Millot showed the value he will bring to Matthias Jaissle’s side, receiving the ball in the centre of the pitch, gliding past one opponent before producing a pass for Toney that split the NEOM defence.

Arguably slightly overhit, Toney did exceptionally well to bring it under control first time before showing the finishing ability that saw him finish runner-up in last term’s race for the RSL golden boot.

NEOM SC improved in the second half and had a gilt-edged moment of their own in the 50th minute, with 19-year-old Saimon Bouabre showing his value by playing an equally exquisite pass for Alexandre Lacazette.

However, the former Arsenal striker’s shot was well saved by Edouard Mendy and the match concluded with a home win. Mendy was Man of the Match. Al Ahli were up and running, although NEOM hinted at a strong first campaign in the lead division.

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Al Ettifaq 2-1 Al Kholood

There was much intrigue in Dammam, with Al Kholood travelling to face Al Ettifaq – a match that pitted last season’s seventh-placed side against its ninth.

Having earlier this summer become the first RSL club to be entirely foreign owned, Al Kholood carry a level of fascination this season to see how they will fare under new manager Des Buckingham. And, while clearly a work in progress, there were positive signs.

But it was Al Ettifaq who took the three points - and there was plenty to like in their performance.

South African young gun Mohau Nkota was one of the more interesting signings of the off-season, and he showed why he was so highly rated with a superb performance in midfield that came complete with a debut goal to open the scoring. He could’ve even had a second, were it not for the woodwork.

Al Kholood showed spirit in coming back, with another debut goal, this time for former Blackburn Rovers defender John Buckley before half time.

Still, the experience of Al Ettifaq won out, with Georginio Wijnaldum restoring the hosts’ lead on the hour mark to start the new season where he left off last. Captain marvel was at it again.