Al Ahli Shocks Al Nassr with 3-2 Victory, Ending Their Unbeaten Streak

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

In a thrilling matchup at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al Nassr faced their first loss in twelve Saudi Pro League matches, going down 3-2 to Al Ahli on Friday night. This defeat punctuated the impressive unbeaten run led by Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Al Ahli took command early, racing to a 2-0 lead within the first 20 minutes thanks to English forward Ivan Toney, who found the net twice—in the 7th and 20th minutes. Stunned by the early onslaught, Al Nassr quickly regrouped, with defender Abdulelah Al-Amri striking twice before halftime: first by slipping the ball past the goalkeeper in the 31st minute and then heading in a corner just before the interval.

In the second half, Al Ahli regained the upper hand, with Turkish defender Merih Demiral scoring a header in the 54th minute following another excellent cross from Toney. Although Al Nassr threw everything forward in search of an equalizer, they were unable to convert their chances. The match ended chaotically, with two Al Nassr players receiving red cards in stoppage time: Ali Majrashi for slapping Joao Felix, and Nawaf Boushal for a last-man foul.

Key Moment: Ronaldo's Uncharacteristic Miss

A crucial turning point occurred when Ronaldo, known for his finishing prowess, uncharacteristically squandered a golden opportunity during a counterattack. With only the goalkeeper to beat, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner mishandled the ball, resulting in a tame shot that left both supporters and teammates dumbfounded.

Warning Signs Preceding the Defeat

This loss came on the heels of vulnerability; just days prior, Al Nassr managed to scrape a 2-2 draw against Al Ettifaq, barely preserving their unbeaten record while exposing cracks in their performance.

Impact on the Title Race

Despite this defeat, Al Nassr remains at the top of the league table with 31 points. However, the margin has shrunk, with defending champions Al Hilal just two points behind and holding a game in hand. Al Hilal's forthcoming match against Damac could see them leapfrog Al Nassr, intensifying the pressure on Ronaldo's squad.

Next Steps for Al Nassr

Al Nassr now must focus on bouncing back quickly in upcoming matches to keep their title hopes alive. As the competition in the Saudi Pro League heats up and rivals close in, each point will prove vital as the season unfolds.