KSAsportz report
JEDDAH — In a thrilling matchup that captured the attention of football fans, Al Ahli Saudi FC triumphed over Al Nassr, ending their remarkable 11-match unbeaten streak with a 3-2 victory in the Saudi Pro League during Matchweek 13. This victory not only shocked the league but also emphasized Al Ahli’s growing stature, with this win marking their sixth victory of the season.
Key player Ivan Toney emerged as the star of the match, netting two goals within the first 20 minutes, while also assisting on the decisive third goal. This performance showcased Toney’s incredible form, contributing to Al Ahli’s rise to 25 points in the league standings, positioning them firmly in fourth place under head coach Matthias Jaissle.
Despite the setback, Al Nassr remains in contention with a total of 31 points from 12 matches, only two points ahead of rivals Al Hilal, who are set to play later in the round. Al Nassr’s coach, Jorge Jesus, saw his team’s promising start falter against fierce marking, especially on stars Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix.
The match kicked off with a high tempo as Al Ahli almost scored in the opening minute when Galeno’s shot was saved, and Matheus Gonçalves hit the crossbar on the follow-up. The breakthrough came in the seventh minute when Toney secured the first goal with a clinical finish following a precise pass from Galeno.
Continuing to apply pressure, Toney doubled the lead in the 20th minute, capitalizing on a long ball during a counter-attack. Al Nassr fought back, with defender Abdulilah Al Amri cutting the deficit in the 32nd minute with a powerful long-range shot that slipped through the hands of goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al Sanbi.
Just before halftime, Al Amri headed in the equalizer from a corner kick in the 44th minute, completing the comeback for Al Nassr. However, Al Ahli regained momentum early in the second half. Just nine minutes after the restart, Toney displayed his class by setting up Merih Demiral, who headed in the crucial third goal.
The closing moments of the match were intense, with chances for both teams. Ronaldo missed a golden opportunity in the 62nd minute, as Al Nassr ramped up the pressure in search of a late equalizer. The tension boiled over in stoppage time, resulting in red cards for Al Ahli captain Ali Majrashi and Al Nassr full-back Nawaf Boushal.
Ultimately, Al Ahli held on to secure a memorable 3-2 victory, delivering Al Nassr their first league defeat of the season and underlining their resolve in the championship battle, now at a pivotal juncture in the season.