Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice as Al-Ettifaq completed a stunning comeback to defeat Al-Nassr 3-2 in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.
The match, which saw five goals all scored during a thrilling second half, ended with Al-Nassr reduced to ten men after Jhon Duran was sent off late in the game.
Initially, the game seemed balanced with both teams sharing equal opportunities. Aiman Yahya broke the deadlock just two minutes after the second half commenced, putting Al-Nassr ahead. But Al-Ettifaq was quick to respond. Wijnaldum capitalized on Al-Nassr's defensive frailty, slotting the equalizer home from close range just 10 minutes later.
While Mohammed Al Fatil restored Al-Nassr's lead shortly after Wijnaldum's goal, one of the match's defining moments came when Al Fatil turned villain by inadvertently directing the ball past his own goalkeeper, allowing Al-Ettifaq to pull level once again.
With the score now 2-2 and the momentum heavily favoring Al-Ettifaq, Wijnaldum stepped up again, finding the net for the second time by scoring the decisive goal just before the match concluded, sealing the comeback victory for his side. This win marked the end of Al-Nassr's five-match winning streak and was particularly painful for the team as they aimed to reclaim their position near the top of the league table.
Adding to Al-Nassr’s woes, the visitors were left without Duran after the forward was sent off with just moments to go for lashing out at Abdulelah Al Malki. This late drama underscored the team's frustrations on what was meant to be their day.
With this victory, Al-Ettifaq gained significant momentum and has moved closer to league contention, taking advantage of the slip-up by Al-Nassr, who were hoping to return to third place. Earlier on Friday, Al-Qadsiah had pushed Al-Nassr down the standings with their 2-0 win against Al-Okhdood. Julian Quinones opened the scoring from the penalty spot following his own drawn foul, and Turki Al Ammar secured the victory with another goal, which put pressure on Al-Nassr as they now sit on the cusp of falling behind.
Crucial to note is the impact of Friday's results on the league; Al-Ettifaq’s win injected fresh life and confidence within their camp, signaling they are serious contenders this season.
Al-Nassr will have to regroup quickly after this disappointing defeat; their focus now will need to shift to their next match as the competition tightens. With only three points separating them from the chasing teams, every match will count significantly toward their aspirations for the season.
Overall, Wijnaldum’s heroics and Al-Ettifaq's fighting spirit encapsulate the unpredictable nature of the Saudi Pro League and the excitement it brings. Fans will certainly be eager to see how this thrilling season continues to develop.