In a thrilling encounter at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium on Friday, April 18, 2025, Al Qadsiah secured a vital 2-1 victory over Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a late winner from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang that sent the home fans into a frenzy.
The game started with Al Qadsiah showing their intent early on, demonstrating a solid defensive structure that kept the formidable Al Nassr forward line at bay. Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Jhon Duran, who make up a potent attacking trio for Al Nassr, found themselves frustrated by a well-organized Qadsiah defense.
It was in the 35th minute that the home side broke the deadlock. A swift counter-attack saw Aubameyang, the former Arsenal star, make a darting run behind the Al Nassr defense. After receiving a precise through ball, he unleashed a shot that was parried by Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento. The rebound fell perfectly for Turki Al-Ammar, who was on hand to tap in the opener, putting Al Qadsiah ahead.
As the match progressed, Al Nassr struggled to find their rhythm. Despite dominating possession with 61% and completing 494 passes with an impressive 87% accuracy, they could not convert their control into goals. The Qadsiah defense, led by former Real Madrid player Nacho Fernández, was resolute, making it difficult for Ronaldo to impact the game significantly.
In the second half, Al Nassr's best chance to equalize came in the 57th minute. Jhon Duran found himself in a one-on-one situation after a defensive lapse from Qadsiah, but the young striker blasted his shot over the bar from close range, a miss that would haunt the visitors.
Despite their struggles, Al Nassr finally found the back of the net in the 84th minute. A beautifully lofted cross from Brazilian midfielder Otavio found Sadio Mane, who expertly controlled the ball and fired it past Qadsiah goalkeeper Koen Casteels, leveling the score and igniting hope for the visitors.
However, the joy for Al Nassr was short-lived. Just three minutes later, Aubameyang struck again. This time, he showcased his aerial prowess by flicking a header from a Nahitan Nandez cross into an empty net, restoring Al Qadsiah's lead and sealing the victory.
With this win, Al Qadsiah climbed to fifth place in the league, now sitting on 55 points after 28 matches. Meanwhile, Al Nassr remained in third position with 57 points, eight points adrift of league leaders Al Ittihad, who are currently at the top with 65 points. The defeat dealt a significant blow to Al Nassr's title hopes, as they now face pressure from teams below them vying for a Champions League spot.
Al Qadsiah's manager, Míchel González, praised his team's performance, emphasizing their determination and tactical discipline. "We played with heart and showed that we can compete with the best in the league," he said in the post-match press conference. "Every player contributed, and we executed our game plan perfectly against a tough opponent."
As the season progresses, Al Qadsiah will look to build on this momentum as they chase a spot in the AFC Champions League. The performance of players like Aubameyang and Al-Ammar will be crucial in their upcoming matches as they aim to close the gap on the teams above them.
In the aftermath of the match, Al Nassr's coach, Stefano Pioli, acknowledged the team's shortcomings, stating, "We had control of the game but failed to capitalize on our chances. We need to be more clinical if we want to stay in the title race." The pressure is now on Pioli and his squad to regroup and ensure they secure their place in the Champions League amid increasing competition.
This match not only showcased the intensity of the Saudi Pro League but also highlighted the individual talents within both squads, particularly the standout performances from Aubameyang and Al-Ammar for Al Qadsiah. As the league heads into its final stretch, fans can expect more thrilling encounters as teams vie for championship glory and continental qualification.
