Al-Nassr saw their title hopes take a heavy blow on February 22, 2025, as they fell to Al-Ettifaq in a surprising 3-2 defeat during the Saudi Pro League.
The match, held at Al-Awwal Park, witnessed 24,626 attendees who were treated to five goals after halftime. Ayman Yahya opened the scoring for Al-Nassr early in the second half, putting them 1-0 up and offering what seemed to be solid momentum for the home side. This early advantage, though, quickly eroded as Al-Ettifaq fought back to equalize through Georginio Wijnaldum's precise strike just ten minutes later.
Despite the setback, Al-Nassr's Mohammed Al-Fatil put his team back on the front foot again at 2-1. Yet, misfortune struck soon after as Al-Fatil found himself scoring an own goal, leveling the match at 2-2. The atmosphere changed significantly as the game edged closer to its conclusion.
Wijnaldum then completed the turnaround, netting the decisive goal for Al-Ettifaq just before the match's end at the 89th minute. The blow was compounded for Al-Nassr when Jhon Duran received his second yellow card, resulting in his dismissal just moments after conceding the third goal.
This defeat leaves Al-Nassr without hope for the title, now trailing league leaders Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal. They remain stuck at fourth place, four points behind Al-Ahli and eight off the leaders, having recorded just 13 wins against 5 draws and 3 losses this season.
Post-match comments reflected disappointment from both the players and coaching staff, highlighting the need for Al-Nassr to regroup and reassess. Cristiano Ronaldo, who has seen his scoring touch wane recently, was again unable to find the net, leading to questions about the team's reliance on their star player during crunch moments.
With Al-Ettifaq's performance showcasing resilience and character, they emerged victorious after being on the back foot. This win showcased the unpredictability of the league, reminding fans and teams alike of the thrill involved in football.
Reflecting on the contest, the tactical approaches of both teams came under scrutiny. While Al-Nassr boasted greater attacking talent, the less flashy but fiercely determined Al-Ettifaq capitalized on the opportunities presented to them.
Moving forward, Al-Nassr must recalibrate if they wish to salvage their season. They will need to focus on tightening their defense and encouraging their attacking players to find their rhythm again. The urgency now lies with coach and players alike to transform this challenging defeat to avoid placing themselves too far from any realistic title chase.
Looking at the league's future matches, Al-Nassr will have opportunities to bounce back, but they must do so quickly to reignite their campaign.