Riyad Mahrez scored his first goal for Al-Shamal on Friday, converting a 65th-minute penalty during a 3-2 defeat against Qatar SC in the Qatar Stars League, DZfoot reported.
First Start Brings Mixed Fortunes
Making his first start for his new club on October 23, 2026, the Algerian winger played the full 90 minutes after previously making a substitute appearance against Lusail on October 17, 2026, according to Foot Africa. Al-Shamal entered the match trailing 2-0 at halftime before Mahrez stepped up from the penalty spot to beat the opposing goalkeeper with a powerful strike to the left, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.
The penalty conversion injected immediate momentum into the home side. Just nine minutes after Mahrez found the net, Thiago Silva equalized for Al-Shamal to level the score at 2-2. However, the comeback fell short when Yohan Boli secured the victory for Qatar SC by scoring the decisive third goal.
Technical Brilliance Highlights Full Debut
Beyond his goal from the spot, Mahrez drew attention with a notable sequence of skill in open play. Foot Africa reported that the 35-year-old attacker drove forward at full speed before executing a sharp directional touch and a nutmeg that left his marker sliding on the turf.
The match also featured fellow Algerian international Baghdad Bounedjah in the Al-Shamal lineup. Despite the attacking efforts of both forwards, Al-Shamal walked away empty-handed, leaving the club in fifth place in the league standings with nine points from seven matches.
Career Transition Following Saudi Successes
Mahrez arrived in Qatar in mid-October following a three-month period without a club. His departure from Al-Ahli Saudi was announced on July 4, 2026, ending a tenure that included AFC Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026, alongside the Saudi Super Cup in 2025.
While the defeat against Qatar SC proved frustrating for Al-Shamal—which dropped points after fighting back to 2-2—the performance established a scoring baseline for Mahrez as he settles into the Qatari top flight following his summer departure from Saudi Arabia.
Related reading
