Al-Ahli defeats Al-Nasr 3-2 in the Roshan League summit clash: Match summary and goals
In a thrilling football match held at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah (The Shining Jewel), Al-Ahli's first team secured a valuable and well-deserved victory over their formidable guests, Al-Nassr, by a score of 3-2. This match was part of the 13th round of the Saudi Professional League. The game was played before a large and enthusiastic crowd, creating an atmosphere befitting the reputation of this Saudi classic.
Returning to the details of the thrilling encounter, the home side entered the match with clear attacking intentions. English star Ivan Tony opened the scoring early in the seventh minute, capitalizing on perfect positioning inside the penalty area. Tony wasn't content with that, however, and returned to confirm Al-Ahli's dominance by scoring a second goal in the twentieth minute, putting Al-Nassr under considerable pressure early in the match. Al-Nassr, however, displayed their strong character and managed to stage a remarkable comeback before the end of the first half. Defender Abdulilah Al-Amri narrowed the gap in the 31st minute, before the same player snatched the equalizer in the 44th minute, ending the first half with a captivating 2-2 draw that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
In the second half, the pace of the match increased with mutual attempts from both sides to break the tie, until the 55th minute came to announce the decisive word for Al-Ahly, when the Turkish defender Merih Demiral rose above everyone to score the third goal for his team, a goal that Al-Ahly maintained with defensive solidity until the final whistle, to earn three valuable points in its journey in the league.
This match holds special significance beyond just the three points; it comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is undergoing major transformations and fierce competition both domestically and regionally. This victory sends a powerful message from Al-Ahli, confirming their return to serious contention for top positions and restoring their dominance in major matches against direct rivals, especially given the strong fan support the team enjoys in Jeddah.
In terms of the league standings, this result had a direct impact on the competition. Al-Ahli increased their points tally to 25, strengthening their hold on fourth place and narrowing the gap with the leading teams, thus intensifying the battle for Asian Champions League qualification spots. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr's points remained at 31, jeopardizing their temporary lead and opening the door for other contenders to seize the top spot. This suggests that the second half of the season will witness a fierce struggle that will only be decided in the final rounds.
