Thanks to a hat-trick from Alexandre Mendy (6th, first-half stoppage time, 85th) and a penalty saved by goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco, promoted Al-Faisaly beat Al-Kholood (3-2) and claimed their first win of the season in the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Faisaly finally had their first win. On this 15 October 2026, at the Al-Majma’ah Sports City Complex, the promoted club won 3-2 against Al-Kholood on matchday 9 of the Saudi Pro League. A victory built from start to finish by one man: Guinea-Bissau international striker Alexandre Mendy, scorer of all three of his team’s goals.
At 32, the striker delivered a decisive hat-trick. According to Arab News, Mendy opened the scoring as early as the 6th minute by pouncing on a parried ball, before equalising in first-half stoppage time and sealing the win with an unstoppable header in the 85th minute.
A scenario full of twists and turns
The start was clear-cut for Al-Faisaly’s men. As early as the 6th minute, Alexandre Mendy latched onto a ball parried by the Al-Kholood defence and opened the scoring. But the opposition response was not long in coming. Defender Shaquille Pinas equalised with a powerful free-kick, before striker Julien Domingues put Al-Kholood ahead.
The first half was drawing to a close when Mendy resurfaced. The Guinea-Bissau international held off Mansour Camara before firing hard at the near post to bring the two teams level in stoppage time. A return to the dressing room in the best possible frame of mind.
In the 70th minute, Al-Kholood were awarded a penalty. Julien Domingues stepped up, but Fernando Pacheco, the Al-Faisaly goalkeeper, saved the attempt. A turning point in the match. Fifteen minutes later, Mendy capped his masterclass with a winning header in the 85th minute, giving his side the three points.
Mendy, the providential scorer
With this hat-trick, Alexandre Mendy takes his tally to 4 goals in the Saudi Pro League this season, according to Foot Africa. The former SM Caen top scorer’s efficiency in front of goal is allowing the promoted club to claim their first win of the campaign.
Goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco is no stranger to this happy outcome. His penalty save in the 70th minute preserved the draw and allowed his team to stay in the match.
Next up: Al-Shabab
Al-Faisaly will look to build on this first success as early as 19 October 2026. The club travel to Al-Shabab on matchday 10 of the Saudi Pro League.
This matchday 9 was also marked by the postponement of the clash between Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr, originally scheduled for this 15 October, to 6 March 2027 for logistical reasons, according to Arab News.