- 09:30
The fourth matchday was intense and full of strong signals: Al-Ahed has won all four games and remains in the lead; Nejmeh stays in touch; Ansar wins on a controversial penalty; Joya trounces Racing (7-0); and La Sagesse takes home three precious points against Sahel. Meanwhile, the bottom of the table remains mired in trouble.
The Lebanese championship (66th edition) resumed after the international break with a series of fast-paced matches: in four acts, Matchday 4 confirmed Al-Ahed's momentum, reignited Ansar's dynamic, propelled Joya onto the provisional podium, and highlighted Nejmeh's solidity. The curtain fell on Sunday with Sahel–Sagesse (0-2) and Nejmeh–Bourj (3-0).
Al-Ahed, Full Throttle
On the pitch at the Fouad Chehab complex, the leaders kept it simple and effective: Al-Ahed dominated Al-Mabarra 2-0, with a brace from Hussein Ezzedine (11', 90+8'). Four games, four wins, zero goals conceded: a near-perfect performance and first place retained on goal difference.
Nejmeh Pushes Ahead
Nejmeh did not falter against Bourj: 3-0, the game was wrapped up in twelve minutes (Mohammad Sadek 4', Ali Kassas 12') and then secured at the hour mark by Massoud Juma. The Grenats recorded their third consecutive clean sheet and remain level on points with Al-Ahed, just behind on goal difference.
Ansar Gets Away with It... on a Penalty Kick
At Fouad Chehab, Ansar (the defending champion) finally broke through Safa's defense 1-0 on a penalty kick called after several long minutes of VAR review and strongly contested by the yellow-and-blue side. Ali Tneich “Sisi” converted in the 90+2nd minute. It was the third win for the Greens and the second loss for Safa.
Joya Thrashes Racing
In Abbassiyé, Joya rolled over a Racing side in turmoil: 7-0, a one-sided match. Hassan Maatouk scored twice (32', 42'), followed by Jihad Ayoub (46'), Haidar Awada (49'), Ali Fawaz (73') and Kitawa in added time (90', 90+1'). This was Joya's third win and Racing's fourth consecutive defeat, with the latter already in desperate need of solutions to avoid sinking further.
La Sagesse won 2-0 at Shabab Al-Sahel thanks to Traoré (26') and Ataya (74'). It was a clean, flawless victory that puts the Green and Whites in the top half of the table.
Abbassiyé Finally Gets Going
Riadi Abbassiyé secured its first victory: 3-1 against Tadamon Sour, with a hat trick from Akoka (20', 40', 87'). Ishaka (47') had kept the visitors' hopes alive.
The Standings (After Matchday 4)
Al-Ahed and Nejmeh share the lead with 12 points, Al-Ahed ahead on goal difference. Joya (9) completes the provisional podium ahead of Ansar (9). Hekmeh follows (7). Next come Riadi Abbassiyé (4) and Bourj (4). Mabarra (3), Safa (2) and Tadamon Sour (2) are under pressure, Shabab Al-Sahel (2) is struggling, and Racing (0) brings up the rear.
The Turning Point of the Day
Ansar’s penalty in added time is the talk of the town; at the other end of the spectrum, Joya’s performance dramatically changes its goal difference and already weighs heavily in the race for the podium.
The battle for first place is heating up: Al-Ahed is in the driver's seat, Nejmeh is right behind, and Ansar and Joya are waiting for the slightest opening. At the bottom, Racing and Sahel need to quickly stem the bleeding or risk falling further behind.
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