Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a thrilling match at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al Nassr faced their first defeat in 12 Saudi Pro League matches, falling 3-2 to Al Ahli on Friday night. This loss marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's team's remarkable unbeaten streak.

Al Ahli started strong, establishing a 2-0 lead within the first 20 minutes with two goals from English forward Ivan Toney, scored in the 7th and 20th minutes. Stunned by this early setback, Al Nassr managed to respond before halftime. Defender Abdulelah Al-Amri scored twice—first by getting the ball by the goalkeeper in the 31st minute and then connecting with a header from a corner just before the halftime whistle.

In the second half, Al Ahli regained momentum as Turkish defender Merih Demiral found the net with a header in the 54th minute, following another assist from Toney. Despite their efforts to equalize, Al Nassr couldn't find another goal. The match concluded in chaos, with two Al Nassr players receiving red cards during stoppage time: Ali Majrashi for slapping Joao Felix and Nawaf Boushal for a last-man foul.

A Missed Opportunity: Ronaldo's Uncharacteristic Error

A decisive moment unfolded when Ronaldo, typically a sharp shooter, squandered an easy chance during a counterattack. With just the goalkeeper to beat, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner mishandled the ball, resulting in a weak shot that left both fans and teammates in shock.

Signs of Weakness Before the Defeat

This defeat came after earlier signs of frailty; merely days before, Al Nassr had drawn 2-2 against Al Ettifaq, barely keeping their unbeaten record intact but revealing potential weaknesses in their form.

Impact on the Title Race

Despite this setback, Al Nassr remains at the top of the league table with 31 points, though the margin has decreased as defending champions Al Hilal are now just two points behind and have a game in hand. Al Hilal’s forthcoming match against Damac presents an opportunity for them to leapfrog Al Nassr, putting additional pressure on Ronaldo’s squad to bounce back swiftly.

Looking Ahead for Al Nassr

Al Nassr must now focus on recovering quickly in upcoming matches to stay in contention for the title. With a fiercely competitive Saudi Pro League and rivals closing in, every point will be vital as the season unfolds.

#Global News #Sports News