Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr faced defeat at the hands of Al Orobah in the Saudi Pro League, falling 1-2 at the Al Jouf University Stadium on March 1, 2025. The loss dealt yet another blow to Al Nassr’s title aspirations, leaving them nine points behind league leaders Al Ittihad, who still have a game in hand.
The first half kicked off with both teams displaying attacking energy, as Al Nassr sought to capitalize on their experience and talent. Ronaldo was seen combining well with teammate Angelo Gomes, yet not every player seemed to find their rhythm; Jhon Duran, returning from suspension, struggled to make an impact.
Just five minutes before the break, the home side took the lead. Veteran forward Omar Al Soma found the net superbly, sending a delightful shot from the right side of the box to the bottom right corner after linking up with his teammates. Earlier, Al Soma had almost opened the scoring with an acrobatics attempt, nearly scoring with a spectacular overhead kick.
After halftime, strategy changes made by Al Nassr's coach Stefano Pioli began to bear fruit. Substitute Nawaf Boushal came off the bench to score the equalizer for the visitors. His goal injected renewed confidence within the squad, allowing them to mount more pressure against Al Orobah.
Despite the equalizer, Al Orobah quickly regained their composure and continued to defend effectively. They responded well to the pressure from Al Nassr and switched to counterattacks, which became instrumental to their strategy. Then, in the 65th minute, Johann Berg Gudmundsson struck decisively for Al Orobah. The Icelandic midfielder unleashed a stunning left-footed shot from the edge of the area, which curled perfectly to nestle in the top corner of the net, leaving Al Nassr's goalkeeper Bento frozen.
Al Nassr attempted to rally back and put pressure on Al Orobah, but the home side showcased impressive defensive resilience, culminating in Al Orobah’s historic victory—their first-ever league win over the Riyadh-based team.
This unexpected defeat places Al Nassr at the crossroads of their season, as they struggle to cement their place among the top teams. The gap to the top of the table raises questions about their ability to maintain competitiveness in the league.
Fans and pundits will weigh on whether their squad depth can withstand the pressure of competing on multiple fronts, including the upcoming AFC Champions League matches. Ronaldo remains pivotal to the team's success, and his leadership will be tested as they navigate the challenges down the stretch.
Given this defeat, Al Nassr must now quickly regroup and focus on upcoming matches, as their championship aspirations hang in the balance. All eyes will be on them as they seek to respond and reclaim their spot among the division’s elite.