Al Nassr's recent five-game winning streak was abruptly halted on February 21, 2025, as they suffered a startling 3-2 defeat to Al Ettifaq at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. This unexpected loss not only marked a downturn for Cristiano Ronaldo's squad but also significantly damaged their aspirations for the Saudi Pro League title.
The match took on multiple twists, with Al Nassr initially taking the lead just minutes after the kickoff. Ayman Yahya opened the scoring for the home side, heading home Sadio Mané's superb cross just two minutes after the second half began, making it 1-0 for Al Nassr. This goal seemed to set the pace for Al Nassr, who looked confident following their previous victories.
But Al Ettifaq, determined to reverse their recent misfortunes, showcased resilience and tactical intelligence. Georginio Wijnaldum capitalized on defensive errors from Al Nassr and managed to equalize shortly thereafter. According to Sportstar, Wijnaldum's equalizer came as he rounded Al Nassr's goalkeeper, Bento, and slotted the ball home with precision.
Despite the setback, Al Nassr regained composure and took the lead once again when defender Al Fatil redeemed himself after his earlier blunder. He scored off a set piece by rising above defenders to head home, making the score 2-1. Just as the fans began to settle back and hope for victory, Al Ettifaq struck again.
Wijnaldum seemingly became the villain for Al Nassr fans as his second goal came from outside the box, sealing the score at 3-2. His curling shot thrilled the travelling fans and gave Al Ettifaq the lead for the first time. What postulated as another comeback for Al Nassr turned to despair.
The tension escalated late in the game when Jhon Duran was controversially sent off after an off-ball incident where he slapped Al Ettifaq defender Almalki. The decision left Al Nassr with ten men as they tried to equalize, taking away any advances they could hope for at the final whistle.
Throughout the match, Ronaldo found himself repeatedly denied, with goalkeeper Rodak making several key saves, including one brilliant save off Ronaldo’s well-aimed free-kick. Ronaldo's failure to score on this night left fans yearning for his brilliant touch, raising concerns over his form as they head toward the season's climax.
The loss has placed Al Nassr's title chase on shaky ground as they now sit trailing behind leaders Al Ittihad. Coach Pioli will undoubtedly want to address the defensive lapses and missed opportunities, particularly from his forwards.
For Al Ettifaq, this victory is not only significant for their season but also serves to remind the league of their potential threat as they eyed European qualification positions. Wijnaldum’s performance particularly stood out, as he continues to prove his value on the pitch after his previous tenure at Liverpool.
Looking forward, both teams will have to regroup and reassess strategies as they continue their campaign within the league. For Al Nassr, the road to title contention just became steeper, and every match will count. Meanwhile, Al Ettifaq’s boost of confidence from this victory could propel them forward as they aim for their own aspirations. The Saudi Pro League remains unpredictable, and with performances like these, every match is bound to bring surprises.