Kessié and Mahrez star as Al Ahli reach Saudi Super Cup final

Two Saudi giants will duel in the nation’s Super Cup final after Franck Kessié and Riyad Mahrez led Al Ahli to a 5-1 destruction of Al Qadsiah in Wednesday’s semifinal clash played in Hong Kong.

⚽️ BUUUTTT ! Franck Kessié (Doublé) 🇨🇮

Al Ahli profite de sa supériorité numérique et mène désormais de 3 buts juste avant la pause !

45+2’ | Al Ahli 4 vs 1 Al Qadsiah pic.twitter.com/SIFLvvh5Wx

— SPL 🇸🇦 (@ActuSPL) August 20, 2025

After conceding an early goal to Al Qadsiah, the response was swift and severe from reigning Asian club champions Al Ahli. Less than five minutes later, the score was back level after a long throw-in fell kindly for Kessié who was left with an easy finish from six yards out.

⚽️ BUUUTTT ! Franck Kessie 🇨🇮

Al Ahli égalise dans cette demi-finale !

12’ | Al Ahli 1 vs 1 Al Qadsiah pic.twitter.com/IKvV66LmGR

— SPL 🇸🇦 (@ActuSPL) August 20, 2025

An Ivan Toney penalty kick put Ahli ahead before the half hour mark and it only got worse for Al Qadsiah, who proceeded to disintegrate. New Ahli signing Enzo Millot made it 3-1 on his debut after Mahrez got the ball with space on the right wing. The Algerian superstar produced a familiar sight of beautiful dribbling and feints before floating and excellent cross for Millot to finish in the 31st minute.

⚽️ BUUUTTT ! Enzo Millot 🇫🇷

Il marque son premier but avec Al Ahli grâce à une passe de Riyad Mahrez 🔥

31’ | Al Ahli 3 vs 1 Al Qadsiah pic.twitter.com/3o4wl4NQKx

— SPL 🇸🇦 (@ActuSPL) August 20, 2025

Things went from bad to worse for Qadsiah. Rising Ghanaian winger Christopher Bonsu Baah, who assisted the opening goal on his debut in Saudi football, was sent off with a straight red card in the 42nd minute and Ahli proceeded to put the game away soon after. In first half stoppage time, a short corner kick created space for Mahrez to move in on the left wing and his cross found the head of Kessié to put Ahli far beyond reach.

An own goal finished the scoring soon after the hour mark for Al Ahli, who will now face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in the final on Saturday (10:00 GMT).