Ivan Toney is DENIED the chance to score his first goal for Al-Ahli as the penalty expert is overlooked to take spot kick by team-mate Riyad Mahrez – who sees his effort saved!

Ivan Toney was denied the chance to score his first goal for Al-Ahli by new team-mate Riyad Mahrez who went on to miss from the penalty spot. 

The England international who joined the Saudi Pro League side for £40m over the summer, looked to have the chance to open up his account when a penalty was awarded to his side in their AFC Champions League clash with Persepolis. 

Given Toney’s incredible penalty record, it was expected that the former Brentford striker would step up. 

However, he was snubbed in favour of former Manchester City star and new team-mate Riyad Mahrez.  

The Algerian winger was denied by Persepolis goalkeeper Alexus Guendouz who correctly dived to his left to save the spot-kick. 

Mahrez saw his spot-kick saved as he took it over penalty expert Toney in their AFC Champions League clash with Persepolis

Toney has scored 30 out of 32 awarded spot-kicks compared to Mahrez who has 31 in 42

Mahrez had picked the ball straight up after Toney won the spot-kick and headed to the spot. 

Toney, standing behind Mahrez, looked like he was considering whether to ask his new team-mate whether he could take it, before he stepped aside.  

Looking at their respective penalty records, it would be a surprise if Mahrez was the man to take spot-kicks over Toney for much longer.

During his career, Toney has scored 30 penalties and only missed two, when just including those that had been awarded during the match and not during a shootout. 

Most recently, he found the net for England in their Euro 2024 quarter-final shootout victory over Switzerland in July.

Mahrez meanwhile has scored 31 awarded penalty kicks and missed 11.

It was the Algerian’s first penalty miss since City drew away at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League in October 2022, just weeks after he also missed against Copenhagen in a 0-0 draw in the same competition. 

Football fans on social media reacted with surprise that Toney – who won the penalty  –  was not allowed to take the spot kick. 

Fans reacted in shock that Mahrez took the penalty kick over Toney against Persepolis

Mahrez has missed a number of big penalties including a goalless draw at Anfield in 2018

Toney is known to be one of the best penalty takers in world football due to his excellent record

One fan wrote: ‘Imagine buying the best penalty taker on the planet and letting Riyad Mahrez take the pen and miss.’

Another person commented: ‘Mahrez has just missed a penalty when there’s literally Toney on the pitch. Toney is for sure playing the next one.’

@FPLRachel commented: ‘Mahrez and penalty misses… used to be a FPL nightmare. That too with Toney on the pitch.’

Mahrez though did contribute to a victory for his side as he assisted the only goal of the game which was scored by Franck Kessie.  

Toney made his debut for Al-Ahli in a 1-1 draw with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr on Friday and his next chance to score his first goal for the club will be against Damac this weekend.