The Green Falcons came within a whisker of opening the scoring after just four minutes when Nasser Al Dawsari moved into space down the left flank and sent a cross that made its way across the box and past all defenders to opposite wing-back Saud Abdulhamid who struck it with his left only for it to cannon off the crossbar.

Saudi Arabia captain Salem Al Dawsari thought he had opened the scoring when he was set up by Firas Al Buraikan, with the winger rounding goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila before attempting to find the back of the net, only for his effort to be cleared by centre-back Abdullah Nasib

The first goal of the night arrived after 16 minutes. A whipped delivery from young playmaker Musab Al Juwayr was met in spectacular acrobatic fashion by defender Ali Lajami whose improvised finish was too powerful for the Jordanian goalkeeper.

Jordan quickly regrouped and looked to hit back. A fine attacking move saw Mahmoud Al Mardi produce an exquisite backheel pass for the onrushing Ali Olwan who slightly overhit his attempt from a tight angle.

The visitors needed a bit of luck to draw level in the 27th minute. Mousa Al Tamari’s cross from the right side was deflected off Abdullah Al Khaibari to wrongfoot goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais and find its way to Olwan who was left with the easiest of finishes, heading in from inches out for the equaliser.

Saudi Arabia were dealt a blow when goalkeeper Al Owais had to be withdrawn ten minutes before the break following a hamstring injury, making way for Ahmed Al Kassar.

The substitute keeper suffered the same fate as the man he came to replace, finding his way in no man’s land in the face of a deflection. This time it was Noor Al Rawabdeh’s shot from 25 yards out that hit Al Juwayr and changed direction, settling into the back of the net to make it 2-1 for Jordan.

It was near complete Saudi dominance in the second half, with Roberto Mancini’s men looking to equalise and the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 runners-up sitting deep and trying to hit on the counter.

Salem Al Dawsari was inches away from finding the goal after he started a passing move which saw Mohammed Kannoo spray it out right for Abdulhamid who squared for Al Dawsari, but the Saudi captain’s finish passed inches wide just before the hour-mark.

With 20 minutes left, it took a combination of a fine Al Kassar save and the crossbar to deny Yazan Al Arab after the Jordanian centre-back rose highest and hammered a powerful header following a corner kick.

Abulaila proved he was every bit a match for his opposite goalkeeper, producing an exceptional diving save to parry away a low curled shot from Kanno from outside the box, ensuring his side walked away from Riyadh with all three points.