The match between Al-Ettifaq and their guest Al-Nasr ended in a 2-2 draw at the Ejo Stadium in Dammam, as part of the twelfth round of the Saudi Professional League “Roshan League”, with the match witnessing dramatic changes in the score and strong performances from both sides.
Details of the match goals and the comeback are not yet complete
The match began at a fast, attacking pace, with the home side catching the visitors off guard early on. Dutch star Georginio Wijnaldum scored the opening goal for Al-Ettifaq in the 16th minute, giving his team the advantage at halftime, which ended with the home side leading.
As the second half kicked off, Al-Nassr came out with a clear desire to get back into the game, and this was quickly achieved through João Félix, who leveled the score in the 47th minute. Al-Nassr continued to press until the Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo scored their second goal in the 67th minute, leading everyone to believe that the three points were on their way to Riyadh. However, Wijnaldum once again played the role of savior for his team, scoring a crucial equalizer in the 80th minute.
Star clashes and the evolution of the Saudi League
This match comes amidst the tremendous development witnessed by the Saudi Professional League, which has become a focus of global attention thanks to attracting a host of international football stars. The presence of names like Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr and Wijnaldum at Al-Ettifaq reflects the qualitative leap in the league's technical and competitive level. Matches between top clubs in Dammam are always a tough challenge for title contenders, given the large crowds and the strong defensive organization characteristic of the Eastern Province teams.
The two teams' positions in the standings
This result cast a shadow over the title race. Despite the draw, Al-Nassr maintained their position at the top of the Roshan League standings with 31 points, but dropping two points at this stage could give their rivals a chance to close the gap in the upcoming rounds. Meanwhile, Al-Ettifaq raised their tally to 16 points, settling into eighth place, and continuing their pursuit of a better position and a place in the Asian Champions League, benefiting from the high morale boost gained by holding the league leaders to a draw.
