Al-Nassr faced off against Al-Ettifaq on February 21, 2025, at the Al-Awl Park, with the match filled with high-stakes drama for both teams. Positioned third on the Saudi Pro League table with 44 points, Al-Nassr was pursuing another win to maintain pressure on league leaders, but Al-Ettifaq, currently struggling at tenth place with 25 points, sought to produce a surprising upset.
The match started with both teams showcasing their formidable attack strategies. Al-Nassr, under the guidance of coach Stefano Pioli, featured renowned players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and João Durão. Meanwhile, Al-Ettifaq, led by Khalid Al-Shehri, looked to their key players including Georginio Wijnaldum and Toko Ekambi to drive the game.
With the whistle blown at 8 p.m. local time, fans were eager to see how the suspense would play out. For the first half hour, both teams exchanged attempts to break the deadlock, but neither could find the back of the net. Al-Nassr struggled to convert their possession and chances, creating near misses led by Ronaldo.
By the 47th minute, any frustrations from the home crowd quickly faded as Ayeman Yahya put Al-Nassr on the board, scoring the first goal and giving them the lead. The stadium erupted; it seemed as if Al-Nassr was on track for yet another victory.
But as football often reveals, matches can shift rapidly. Just eight minutes later, Wijnaldum leveled the score for Al-Ettifaq, capitalizing on disorganized play by the Al-Nassr defense. The intensity of the match increased, showcasing the urgency of both squads as they fought for every ball.
The tide turned again when Muhammad Al-Fateel courageously doubled Al-Nassr's lead at the 65th minute. His strike brought the score to 2-1, and it seemed almost certain Al-Nassr would secure their victory. But the match had other plans; during the 82nd minute, Al-Fateel accidentally directed the ball past his own goalkeeper, leveling the score at 2-2, igniting renewed hope within the visiting side.
With just minutes remaining, the pressure intensified. Spectators held their breath when, at the 89th minute, Wijnaldum's second goal spiraled through to clinch the victory for Al-Ettifaq, ending the match 3-2. This not only marked Al-Nassr's defeat but also ended their impressive five-match winning streak.
The aftermath saw Al-Nassr's chances for the title still alive, but they faced tougher competition from both Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad. Al-Ettifaq rejoiced as their players and fans celebrated, propelling them to look to the future with potential for climbing the league table.
Reflecting on the match, Al-Shehri commented, "We are focused on taking every chance against top-tier teams like Al-Nassr," emphasizing his team’s determination. Pioli, on the other hand, needs to reassess his squad’s composure under pressure as the season nears its climax.
Moving forward, Al-Nassr now has to swiftly recalibrate for their upcoming bouts, ensuring they regain momentum, whereas Al-Ettifaq could leverage this achievement as motivation to push up the standings. With both teams boasting exceptional talent and determination, the remainder of the Saudi Pro League promises to be full of surprises and noteworthy performances.