Mahrez misses penalty for Al-Ahli, denying Toney first goal chance

In a recent AFC Champions League match against Persepolis, Ivan Toney was denied the opportunity to score his first goal for Al-Ahli when a penalty was awarded to his team. Despite Toney's impressive penalty record, which includes 30 successful penalties out of 32 attempts, Riyad Mahrez insisted on taking the spot-kick himself. This decision surprised many, especially given Toney's reputation as a penalty specialist. Mahrez's attempt was saved by Persepolis goalkeeper Alexus Guendouz, marking Mahrez's first penalty miss since October 2022. Toney, who joined Al-Ahli for £40 million over the summer, stood by as Mahrez took the penalty, seemingly contemplating whether to intervene. However, he ultimately stepped aside, allowing Mahrez to take the shot. The miss drew reactions from fans on social media, with many expressing disbelief that Toney was not allowed to take the penalty, given his superior record. Despite the penalty miss, Mahrez contributed positively to the match by assisting Franck Kessie, who scored the only goal of the game, leading Al-Ahli to victory. Toney had made his debut for the club in a previous match against Al-Nassr, which ended in a 1-1 draw. His next opportunity to score will be against Damac this weekend. The incident raises questions about penalty-taking responsibilities within the team, especially considering Toney's proven track record. It is likely that future penalties will see Toney taking the lead, as fans and analysts alike expect him to be the primary choice moving forward.