Al-Ahli Saudi secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Al Nassr, handing the team led by Cristiano Ronaldo its first defeat of the season. Ronaldo started the match, played the full duration, but was unable to find the back of the net in this opener for 2026.
Entering the game as the leader of the Saudi Arabian League, Al Nassr faced Al-Ahli at the King Abdullah Sports City, where the home team commenced the match positioned fifth in the overall table.
The scoring started early, with Ivan Toney striking twice for Al-Ahli in the 7th and 20th minutes, putting pressure on the Portuguese star’s squad. However, Al Nassr quickly fought back, with defender Abdulelah Al-Amri equalizing with goals in the 31st and 44th minutes, ensuring the teams went into halftime level.
Unfortunately for Al Nassr, their recent form has raised concerns, as they now face the prospect of losing their spot at the top following a draw and this defeat. Despite Al-Ahli’s injuries, they managed to regain the lead in the 55th minute with Merih Demiral finding the net, reigniting the pressure on Ronaldo and his teammates.
Al Nassr’s coach, Jorge Jesus, attempted to engineer a comeback by making strategic substitutions during stoppage time. Nevertheless, the efforts of their prominent players fell short, resulting in their first loss in the Saudi league. In a dramatic end to the match, Ali Majrashi and Nawaf Boushal were both sent off during stoppage time, leaving both teams with ten players.
As it stands, Al Nassr holds its leadership position temporarily, hoping that second-placed Al-Hilal does not win against Damac FC, a team struggling to maintain its status in the top division. Al Nassr’s next match, which they cannot afford to lose, is set for Thursday, January 8, against Al Qadisiyah, a fixture that could see the gap to the leaders narrowed from ten to four points within a week.
This match underscored the competitive nature of the Saudi Arabian League and highlighted the growing pressure on Al Nassr as the season progresses.