Riyad Mahrez and Soufiane Rahimi were both on the scoresheet as Al-Ahli and Al-Ain played out a 1-1 draw in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, in Spain.
The match, part of both clubs’ preparations for the upcoming 2025-2026 campaign, featured two of the Arab region’s most prominent footballing sides in a closely contested encounter.
Al-Ain took an early lead through Moroccan forward Rahimi, who found the net in the 19th minute to give the Emirati outfit the advantage.
Al-Ahli, currently in Europe for their pre-season training camp, responded in the second half through Algerian winger Mahrez. The former Manchester City player produced a composed finish in the 57th minute to draw the Saudi side level.
The fixture served as a valuable test for both managers, allowing them to assess their squads and build match fitness ahead of a busy competitive season.
Al-Ain, buoyed by Rahimi’s sharpness in the final third, looked composed in the opening period and dictated much of the early tempo.
Their breakthrough came when Rahimi latched onto a pass in the attacking third and beat the goalkeeper with a clinical strike.
Al-Ahli, who have already faced Celtic in their pre-season schedule — a match they lost via penalties — showed greater urgency after the interval. Mahrez, a key figure for the reigning Asian champions, brought parity with a well-taken goal that underscored his importance to the side.
As the game progressed, both teams made several substitutions, giving fringe and youth players the opportunity to stake their claim for regular minutes. Despite late efforts from both sides, neither managed to break the deadlock, and the friendly concluded with honours even.
The encounter was another step in Al-Ahli’s European preparations as they gear up for a highly anticipated season. Their next major assignment comes in the Saudi Super Cup, where they will face Al-Qadsiah in the semi-finals later this month in Hong Kong.
With Mahrez looking sharp and the team steadily building rhythm, Al-Ahli will be aiming to translate their pre-season work into competitive success. Meanwhile, Al-Ain, with Rahimi continuing to show his eye for goal, will also be optimistic about their prospects heading into the new campaign.
The draw offered both teams a balanced assessment of their current form, while also highlighting key areas for improvement. As the 2025-2026 season edges closer, this encounter in Spain provided a timely reminder of the quality and ambition within two of the region’s top clubs.
