Ricardo Mathias scores twice for Al-Shabab against Al-Ahli
Al-Ahli suffered a blow against Al-Shabab in the Roshn League after loanee striker Ricardo Mathias scored twice, assisted another, and drew a red card against his parent club. It was reported that the 20-year-old Brazilian, currently playing on loan at Al-Shabab until the end of the season, refused to celebrate both of his goals during the fixture at the SHG Arena in Riyadh.
The twelfth-round match turned on Mathias within the opening moments. Just 66 seconds into the Friday fixture, according to goal.com—with yardbarker.com noting the timestamp at 65 seconds—Mathias pounced on a defensive mistake by Al-Ahli defender Rayan Hamed. He robbed Hamed of possession and slotted past goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi to open the scoring. Opta data cited by goal.com established the strike as the fifth-fastest in Al-Shabab’s Saudi Pro League history since the 2011–2012 season.
Al-Sanbi Red Card Forces Al-Ahli Tactical Changes
Mathias continued to dismantle Al-Ahli’s defensive structure in the 22nd minute. Bursting through from the middle of the pitch, the striker drew Al-Sanbi far outside his penalty area. Al-Sanbi attempted to stop the shot with his hand, forcing the referee to show an immediate red card. Al-Ahli’s Dutch coach was forced into an early tactical substitution, bringing on young goalkeeper Abdullah Abduh and sacrificing Rayan Hamed.
The intervention brought immediate consequences. With his first touch of the match, Abduh conceded Al-Ahli’s second goal when Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco converted the resulting free-kick. Al-Shabab added a third before halftime in the 37th minute after Mathias won a penalty converted by Colombian striker Roger Martinez.
Mathias Scores Twice Against Former Club Al-Ahli
Mathias struck again just three minutes after the interval. In the 48th minute, he headed home a cross to secure his second goal of the match and Al-Shabab’s fourth. True to his earlier restraint, the loanee once again declined to celebrate in front of Al-Ahli supporters.
The performance highlights a sharp contrast with Mathias’s struggles earlier in the year. After joining Al-Ahli from Brazil’s Internacional last winter, the forward managed only six first-team appearances without finding the net before moving to Al-Shabab on loan last summer. Since joining Al-Shabab, he has accumulated three goals and an assist in just five appearances.
For Al-Shabab, the opening goal marked their quickest in the Roshn League since Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo scored against Al-Hilal after 62 seconds in September 2021.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.