Georginio Wijnaldum powered Al-Ettifaq to a famous 3-2 away victory over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr during a pulsatile Saudi Pro League clash at Al Awal Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday evening (IST). The contest was nothing short of exhilarating, drawing the attention of notable figures, including boxing legend Oleksandr Usyk, who was spotted sporting Al-Nassr colors.
The match unfolded as a true rollercoaster, particularly with Wijnaldum’s decisive curler from outside the box finding the net just moments before the end of regulation time. The first half was characterized by impressive goalkeeping performances; both Marek Rodak from Al-Ettifaq and Al-Nassr’s Bento became pivotal figures, making remarkable saves to keep the score level. Rodak was particularly effective, denying Ronaldo on multiple occasions, one of which could have flipped the game’s momentum just before the halftime whistle.
After the break, Ayman Yahya ignited the scoring for Al-Nassr less than two minutes after the restart, expertly heading Sadio Mane’s accurate cross to push his side temporarily in front. Yet, the game turned quickly. Wijnaldum, showcasing both determination and skill, capitalized on a defensive error from Mohammed Al Fatil, rounding Bento and firing the equalizer just before the 55th minute. Initially flagged for offside, the goal was confirmed after VAR review, allowing the celebration to erupt.
Just ten minutes later, Al Fatil redeemed himself by scoring from a corner, putting Al-Nassr back on top. Nevertheless, drama unfolded as Al Fatil unintentionally scored an own goal from Jack Hendry’s cross with just nine minutes to go. Al-Ettifaq, who had rallied admirably, seized the moment.
With the match hanging delicately, Wijnaldum delivered his memorable strike, putting Al-Ettifaq ahead for the first time, sending the visiting supporters, including Usyk, wild with joy. Following this, the momentum shifted entirely against Al-Nassr. Moments later, Jhon Duran received a straight red card—his punishment for lightly slapping Abdulelah Al-Malki on the back of the head during stoppage time as frustrations boiled over. Even Cristiano Ronaldo protested the referee’s decision, but it stood firm.
The defeat marked the end of Al-Nassr’s five-match winning streak and thwarted their aspirations to climb back up the league table; the loss leaves them eight points behind league leaders Al Ittihad, who maintained their position with a game in hand.
"You can see how important the spirit was today; we kept fighting till the end," Wijnaldum remarked following the thrilling match, emphasizing his team’s resilience. Al-Nassr's Ronaldo reflected disappointment, saying, "It was disappointing to lose at home; we had the lead twice," illustrating the night’s emotional swings.
Coach Stefano Pioli, addressing the media, acknowledged the contentious nature of Duran’s red card, stating, "The referee made the right decision; Duran’s action was not justifiable." The sentiment echoed through the Ava players as they started to envision their path moving forward after this unexpected triumph.
This match serves as a significant chapter for both teams. For Al-Ettifaq, the hard-fought victory reinforces their possibilities for the season, enhancing their confidence as they aim for higher placements. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr, now sitting fourth on the table after this defeat, must regroup and reassess strategies to chase down the title, as they are confronted not just with league standings but also heightened pressure following this unexpected setback.
Fans anticipate the coming matches with bated breath, eager to watch how both sides shift gears following this defining match, particularly as they push through the remainder of the Saudi Pro League season.