Moussa Dembele hat-trick gives Al-Ettifaq victory over Al Riyadh on Trezeguet debut

Al Riyadh were beaten 4-2 by Al-Ettifaq in Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet’s” first Saudi league appearance, with Moussa Dembele scoring a hat-trick and Rayan Messi also finding the net.

Trezeguet was named in the starting line-up only three days after joining Al Riyadh, following the termination of his contract with Al Ahly. However, his first match for the club ended in defeat after Al Riyadh were forced to play most of the game with 10 men.

Mauricio Abascal was sent off in the fourth minute after the referee reviewed the incident on the video assistant referee monitor. The Al Riyadh defender had brought down Dembele, who was through on goal, and the decision left the visitors facing a lengthy numerical disadvantage.

Al-Ettifaq took advantage in the 22nd minute. Alvaro Medran delivered a corner into the area and Dembele rose to head the ball into the net, giving the home side the lead.

Al Riyadh responded deep into first-half stoppage time. A quick counter-attack ended with Teddy Okou scoring in the fifth additional minute, restoring parity before the interval.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with Al-Ettifaq regaining the advantage from a set-piece situation. The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute after the referee judged that the ball had struck a player’s hand. Dembele stepped up and converted from the spot to put Al-Ettifaq back in front.

Al Riyadh levelled again just five minutes later. Bernard Mensah struck a powerful, low free-kick which flew to the goalkeeper’s left, leaving the score at 2-2.

The game then settled for a period, although Al-Ettifaq continued to apply attacking pressure as they sought to exploit their numerical advantage.

That pressure finally produced a third goal in the 80th minute. Substitute Rayan Messi attempted a low shot which hit a defender, changed direction and slowly rolled into the goal to put Al-Ettifaq ahead for the third time.

Al Riyadh’s hopes of recovering were ended in the sixth minute of added time when Al-Ettifaq were awarded another penalty for a second handball offence.

Dembele took responsibility again, but goalkeeper Milan Borjan saved his effort. The referee ordered the penalty to be retaken, and Dembele sent the second attempt into the same corner to complete his hat-trick.

The goal secured a 4-2 victory for Al-Ettifaq and their first three points, while Trezeguet’s Saudi league debut ended with Al Riyadh defeated by Dembele’s late penalty and the impact of substitute Rayan Messi.