Al Hazem stun Al Ahli with historic 87-second stoppage-time strike

Al Hazem struck Al Ahli with a late first-half goal on Friday to claim an unexpected advantage in their Roshn Saudi League meeting and set two notable records in the competition.

Ahmed Al Nakhli scored in the second minute of added time at the end of the first half, taking advantage of a clear opportunity to put Al Hazem ahead shortly before the interval.

The goal was more than a crucial moment in the match. According to football statistics provider Opta, it was the second-fastest goal Al Hazem have scored in their history in the professional league.

Opta recorded the goal as coming 87 seconds after the start of the time added on by the referee. That placed it just behind Al Hazem’s fastest goal in the competition, scored against Al Ittihad in 2009 after only 12 seconds.

The strike also created a significant statistic from Al Ahli’s perspective. It became the second-fastest goal the team have conceded in their history in the professional league.

The quickest came in October 2023, when Sergej Milinkovic-Savic scored against Al Ahli after 45 seconds.

Al Hazem’s goal therefore produced a striking contrast in the records of both clubs, while giving the visitors a valuable lead at a stage when the first half appeared to be heading towards its conclusion without a change in the score.

The match is being played as part of the seventh round of the Roshn Saudi League.