Al Nassr's bid for the title in the Saudi Pro League took another hit on February 28, 2025, as they fell 2-1 to Al Orobah at Al Jouf University Stadium. The defeat placed Al Nassr third in the standings, trailing behind league leaders Al Ittihad and leveling with Al Ahli.
With Cristiano Ronaldo at the forefront, Al Nassr entered the match determined to pick up the points necessary to keep pace with the top clubs. Yet, it was Al Orobah who shocked the visitors first. Johann Gudmundsson struck gold just before halftime, allowing Omar Al Somah, the league's top scorer, to capitalize on the loose ball. "Al Orobah gave the surprise by beating Al Nassr, who came with the obligation to add to stay in the title fight," said reports from Claro Sports.
Ronaldo had looked poised to propel his team forward, demonstrating his leadership throughout the early stages of the match. Just as Al Nassr seemed set to regain control, the tide shifted dramatically. Barely two minutes after the interval, Nawaf Boushal stepped up to score, leveling the match for Al Nassr. Hopes were high for the visitors as they seemed primed for a comeback, as they took more aggressive strides to establish dominance.
But Al Orobah was not to be dismissed easily. Just after Al Nassr had found their equalizer, Christopher Gudmundsson unleashed a spectacular strike from distance at the 65-minute mark. The ball rocketed past Al Nassr's goalkeeper Bento, sealing their fate. "Gudmundsson's shot was considered one of the goals of the year," noted reports, echoing the disbelief of onlookers witnessing the brilliance of the goal.
Despite Ronaldo's efforts, which included near misses and hopeful chances, the night proved unsuccessful for the Portuguese star. He had high expectations to deliver after his previous outings where he scored, but on this occasion, he found himself failing to shine. "Ronaldo had the chance but couldn't shine, missing key opportunities," reported El Comercio.
Al Orobah, hovering near the relegation zone prior to the match, capitalized on the result which witnessed them storm past Al Nassr, whose hopes for title contention are now dimmed. The competitive nature of the league means every point counts, and for Al Nassr, this game was pivotal.
With this defeat, Al Nassr remains at 47 points—their second consecutive match without victory—and faces increasing pressure as fixtures pile up. This loss, paired with Al Ahli's concurrent victory over Al Hilal, keeps Al Ittihad comfortably positioned at the top with 59 points, effectively stranding Al Nassr.
For Ronaldo, the title seems more out of reach with each passing game, even as he sits at the top of the goal-scoring charts with 17 goals—one more than his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema. The upcoming matches will be monumental as Al Nassr's chances of qualifying for next year’s Asian Champions League now hang by a thread.
Shifting focus, fans eagerly follow Ronaldo not only for his performance but also to see how he handles this latest setback. During his post-match reflection, it’s apparent the team’s unity and focus will be tested as they look toward their next challenge. Al Nassr must regroup quickly to salvage their season as the competition intensifies and the stakes rise.