Al-Ahli defeats Al-Nasr in Jeddah and breaks the 10-year curse in the Roshan League
In an unforgettable night of football in the Saudi Professional League, Al-Ahli wrote a new chapter in the history of the "Clásico" matches, breaking a curse that had eluded them for over a decade against their traditional rivals, Al-Nassr, in Jeddah. This precious 3-2 victory in the thirteenth round brought smiles back to the faces of their vast fan base, who filled the stands of King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Shining Jewel), putting an end to a long series of home defeats.
This result carries profound numerical and historical significance, as Al-Ahli ended a 3,728-day winless streak against Al-Nassr. Since October 18, 2015, specifically that iconic match where all-time top scorer Omar Al-Somah netted a hat-trick against Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli had not tasted victory against the "Global" team in Jeddah. Throughout those lean years, Al-Nassr had dominated Jeddah, achieving a series of wins and draws that cemented the notion of a "jinx" in the minds of fans.
During the period preceding this victory, Al-Nassr's stars shone brightly in matches between the two teams, with renowned names like Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah and Brazilian Anderson Talisca scoring against Al-Ahli in Jeddah, culminating in the current era led by Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo. However, in this round, Al-Ahli demonstrated its complete recovery and ability to compete with the top teams, benefiting from its squad packed with international stars who joined the team as part of the massive privatization and sports investment project underway in the Kingdom.
This victory's impact extends beyond simply securing three points in the league race; it sends a powerful message confirming Al-Ahli's return as a fierce competitor in Saudi football after their relegation from the Yellow League two seasons ago. This win reflects tactical maturity and a high level of fighting spirit, restoring balance to the power dynamics in the derby and adding further excitement and competitiveness to the Saudi league, which has become a focus of global attention. Overcoming this hurdle gives the team a tremendous morale boost as they continue their journey in domestic and continental competitions, reaffirming that the "Fortress of Cups" remains a force to be reckoned with in Saudi football.
