Goodwin, Kessie and other RSL stars light up international break

The stars of the Roshn Saudi League have been making their mark already across the first couple of days of this FIFA international break, with goals and crucial contributions to history-making feats.

Al Ahli midfielder Franck Kessie led the way with two goals on Friday in Cote D’Ivoire’s 4-1 victory in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone – the second of which came from the spot as the former AC Milan and Barcelona man atoned for an early penalty miss.

The match, played in San-Pedro, also featured Al Ettifaq midfielder Seko Fofana, currently on loan from Al Nassr, and Al Orobah counterpart Jean Michael Seri.

Also in 2025 AFCON qualification, Sadio Mane continued his rich vein of form this season with the second goal in Senegal’s 4-0 win at home to Malawi. It follows the Al Nassr forward’s double in last week’s RSL encounter with Al Orobah, with Mane now standing at two goals and five assists for the 2024-25 Saudi top flight.

Al Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly and Al Shabab forward Habib Diallo were in action for Senegal as well, the latter as a late substitute. Also among the goals on Friday, Al Okhdood striker Christian Bassogog netted the fourth in Cameroon’s 4-1 triumph against Kenya, claiming his first goal of the 2024-25 season.

On Thursday, in-form Al Ittihad playmaker Houssam Aouar maintained his Midas touch in front of goal, with the third in Algeria’s 5-1 victory against Togo. It means the RSL summer signing has scored seven times in nine games for club and country thus far this campaign. Al Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez also featured in the match.

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers, Al Wehda forward Craig Goodwin notched the pick of the bunch in Australia’s 3-1 win against China – fittingly taking place in Goodwin’s hometown of Adelaide.

Meanwhile, club teammate Youssef Amyn and Al Riyadh rival Ibrahim Bayesh were also celebrating three points in qualifying, with both starring in Iraq’s 1-0 triumph against Palestine in Basra. There was less positive news, though, for Saudi Arabia, who lost 2-0 to Japan at a packed King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

Elsewhere, there was an historic victory for Al Khaleej midfielder Dimitris Kourbelis and his inspired Greece side, who upset England in their UEFA Nations League qualifier at Wembley to emerge 2-1 victors. The result represented Greece’s first win against England, who this summer finished runner-up at the 2024 UEFA European Championship.