Post by : Bianca
Haleem
In a thrilling clash at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al Nassr faced their first defeat in 12 matches, falling to Al Ahli 3-2 on Friday. The match marked the end of a remarkable unbeaten run for Cristiano Ronaldo's team.
Al Ahli quickly took charge, with English striker Ivan Toney netting two goals in the opening 20 minutes. Al Nassr, initially taken by surprise, responded with defender Abdulelah Al-Amri scoring two goals; one in the 31st minute that went through the goalkeeper's legs and another just before halftime from a corner.
The second half saw Merih Demiral, a Turkish defender, restore Al Ahli's lead with a header in the 54th minute after another assist from Toney. Despite Al Nassr's urgent efforts to equalize, they were unable to convert their chances. Tensions escalated towards the end, resulting in two red cards for Al Nassr players Ali Majrashi and Nawaf Boushal.
Key Miss: Ronaldo's Uncharacteristic Blunder
A significant moment occurred when Ronaldo, typically a reliable scorer, squandered a clear chance during a counterattack, leaving fans and teammates in shock as he sent a weak shot towards the goal.
Signs of Trouble Before Defeat
This defeat highlights a worrying trend for Al Nassr; only days earlier, they settled for a 2-2 draw against Al Ettifaq, which hinted at cracks in their performance.
Title Impact Analysis
Despite this loss, Al Nassr still leads the table with 31 points, although the defending champions, Al Hilal, are now just two points behind and have a game in hand. Al Hilal’s next match against Damac could see them take the lead, putting additional pressure on Ronaldo's side.
What’s Next for Al Nassr?
Al Nassr must regroup quickly in their upcoming games to keep their title hopes alive. With the Saudi Pro League heating up, every point becomes vital as the season unfolds.
English
