Slap in the face for wealthy Saudis! Brave African heart beats star-studded Al-Ahli
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 24.09.25. | 10:59
The Egyptian Pyramids defeated the Saudi Al-Ahli and their stars Mendy, Mahrez, Kessie, Toney, and Co. 3-1, and knocked them out of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, as the DR Congo international Fiston Mayele bagged a hat-trick!
The first edition of the FIFA Club World Cup was held this year, and Chelsea emerged victorious, becoming the World Champions. However, given that the clubs qualified for the aforementioned tournament based on the four-year ranking and results, several sides that deserved to participate didn't get that chance.
For instance, three out of five known champions of their respective confederations didn't qualify for the FIFA CWC, so the international football governing body decided to keep the FIFA Intercontinental Cup alive.
In this competition, the champions of six confederations (UEFA, AFC, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, CAF, and OFC) fight for the title, while the UEFA Champions League winner - in this case Paris Saint-Germain - qualifies directly for the grand final.
In the only first-round duel, the Champion of Africa, the Egyptian Pyramids, easily brushed aside the New Zealand Auckland City 3-0 and scheduled the duel against the mighty and wealthy Al-Ahli Jeddah, the Saudi side and the Champion of Asia.
With only four foreign players, the Egyptian team went against the star-studded crew of Riyad Mahrez, Frank Kessie, Edouard Mendy, Ivan Toney, and Co. It was pretty clear that the Pyramids' chances were minimal. But sometimes a brave heart can beat bags full of money!
Last night, the African Champions upset the Saudi side on its home turf, beating Al-Ahli 3-1 and knocking them out of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup! A DR Congo international, Fiston Mayele, shone, bagging a hat-trick, while the Saudis' only goal came over Toney, who scored from the spot.
The rivals were level at the break (1-1), as the former Brentford striker annulled the Congolese's 21st-minute opener in the last minute of the first half.
After the break, the battle was fierce, but then Mayele stepped up again, netted two more goals in only four minutes (71st and 75th), shocked the Saudis and launched his team to the semi-finals, where Pyramids will face the winner of the clash between the Mexican Cruz Azul and the Champions of South America (Copa Libertadores final is scheduled for November 29).
Either way, the Egyptian side undoubtedly dealt a massive blow to Saudi Arabia's wealthy project and their entire football, as they definitely didn't see this coming.
