ANTWERP — Marwan Al Sahafi made headlines on Friday, scoring a brace as Beerschot shocked Anderlecht 2-1 in the Belgian Pro League. This match marked a historic milestone as it was the first time a Saudi Arabian player scored in the competition and the first double by a Saudi in a prominent European league. A product of the Al Ittihad youth academy, the 20-year-old winger, along with teammate Faisal Al Ghamdi, joined Beerschot on loan ahead of the 2024-25 season, becoming the first duo from the Kingdom to play in Belgium's top tier. Al Sahafi's performances against Royal Antwerp and KVC Westerlo showcased his potential, but it was his third appearance for Beerschot that captured the attention of fans and media alike. On Friday night, Al Sahafi demonstrated his skill by scoring both goals. He opened the scoring in the 30th minute, cutting inside from the right flank and firing into the bottom corner with his supposedly weaker left foot. After Anderlecht equalized in the 70th minute, the Jeddah-born attacker embarked on a dazzling run into the penalty area, collecting a pass and slotting home the winner. Al Ghamdi, also making his third appearance for the club, was quick to congratulate his compatriot. This victory was especially significant for Beerschot, who had been winless in 10 matches since the start of the season and were sitting at the bottom of the table. In contrast, Anderlecht had lost only once in their last 10 matches and were close to the league summit. Al Sahafi's achievement adds to his burgeoning career. He made his Roshn Saudi League debut in July 2022, coming on as a late substitute in Al Ittihad's 2-1 victory against Al Fateh. He registered seven appearances in the 2022-23 season and established himself as a regular player for the Jeddah giants, featuring 20 times and scoring his first goal in the league against Al Fayha in March. His second goal came two months later in a 4-1 win over Damac. This week has been particularly memorable for Al Sahafi, as he also made his first start for the Saudi national team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bahrain at King Abdullah Sports City.
