DAMMAM: Al-Nassr have suffered their first Saudi Pro League defeat since January after a 16-game winning run had propelled them to the top of the table with a five-point cushion.
Brendan Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiah proved a tough side to break down, claiming a 3-1 victory at the Prince Mohammed bin Fahad Stadium on Sunday.
While Al-Nassr remain top of the table on 79 points despite the defeat, the result allows Al-Hilal to cut the gap to just two points if they win their game in hand. That would make the May 12 clash between the sides a potential turning point.
Although Al-Nassr defeated Al-Ahli last week, the first 75 minutes of that match exposed signs of vulnerability. Cristiano Ronaldo and Kingsley Coman ultimately lifted the team after a subdued attacking display, but questions remained over their ability to overcome Al-Qadsiah — a side unbeaten at home since January 2025.
Al-Qadsiah quickly showed they would be no pushovers. From the outset, a subtle tactical tweak to Rodgers’ traditional 5-3-2 setup troubled the visitors throughout the match.
It was not the league’s top scorer, Julian Quinones, who posed the greatest threat early on, but right wing-back Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat. The defender with the most assists in the league this season operated aggressively, exploiting the space behind Inigo Martinez and often acting like a third striker.
Early on, Abu Al-Shamat broke into the box but fired over, with the move eventually ruled offside. In the 10th minute, a long ball from Otavio found him again behind Martinez, with his effort forcing Bento into a strong save.
The breakthrough came in the 24th minute, when the tactical shift paid off. Christopher Bonsu Baah found Abu Al-Shamat unmarked in the box, and the wing-back made no mistake in finishing for Al-Qadsiah’s opener.
Once again, Al-Qadsiah showed that while they may not yet be firm title contenders, they remain one of the most difficult sides to beat in the league.
Al-Nassr responded before halftime, equalizing in the 39th minute when Marcelo Brozovic slipped Joao Felix in the box for the Portuguese to curl his effort past Koen Casteels.
However, Al-Qadsiah took control in the second half. In the 55th minute, Brozovic was caught in possession deep in his own half. Quinones capitalized before laying the ball off to Musab Al-Juwayr, who restored the hosts’ lead.
Al-Nassr pushed for an equalizer but rarely threatened with real conviction. In the 78th minute, Brozovic was caught with a mistake once again, this time by substitute Gabriel Carvalho, who set up Quinones to score Al-Qadsiah’s third and seal the result.
The victory keeps Al-Qadsiah’s hopes of a direct AFC Champions League Elite spot alive, as they move to 68 points, just one behind third-placed Al-Ahli, who have a game in hand. Al-Ahli were also in action on Sunday, cruising to a 4-0 win over Al-Okhdood, who become the second team to be relegated this season after the defeat.
Elsewhere, Al-Taawoun strengthened their push for continental qualification with a 5-1 drubbing of Al-Shabab in Riyadh. Roger Martinez scored twice as Al-Taawoun moved four points clear of sixth-placed Al-Ittihad, although the latter have two games in hand.
Saudi Pro League action resumes on Monday. Relegation-threatened Al-Riyadh face Al-Fayha at 7:10 p.m., before Al-Ittihad host Al-Kholood at 9 p.m. as they continue their pursuit of the final AFC Champions League Elite spot. Al-Ettifaq and Al-Najma also kick off at the same time.
