Al Nassr are the early pace-setters in the Saudi Pro League, and their 3-2 comeback victory over Al-Ettifaq on August 25 showed exactly why Ange Postecoglou's side are being taken seriously as title contenders again. The defending champions went down to ten men in the 12th minute when Brazilian goalkeeper Bento received a straight red card, forcing young substitute Abdul Rahman Al-Otaibi into the action. Al-Ettifaq took full advantage, going 2-0 up by half-time. What followed was one of the more remarkable second-half performances in recent Saudi Pro League memory. Sadio Mane scored twice and Abdul Ilah Al-Omari added a third as Al Nassr overturned the deficit in the final 15 minutes to claim all three points.

The win was not without its talking points. Cristiano Ronaldo, captaining the side in his first start of the season, was substituted at half-time. Postecoglou confirmed it was simply too difficult for him to continue given the circumstances, though reports suggest the decision generated significant debate behind the scenes. Joao Felix, who replaced him, provided two assists and was central to the comeback.

With nine points from three games, Al Nassr hold a two-point lead over Al Ittihad at the top of the table. Their squad's attacking depth is already on display, with Mane, Felix, Angelo Gabriel and Al-Omari all among the league's top scorers. Bento's suspension now adds a goalkeeping concern heading into Friday's home fixture against Al-Taawoun, where Postecoglou will need a response from Al-Otaibi between the posts.