Cristiano Ronaldo Ivan Toney Al-Nassr Al-Ahli 2026Getty Images

Al-Nassr begin to crumble! Cristiano Ronaldo nowhere to be seen as Saudi Pro League leaders throw away advantage over title rivals in fiesty loss to Al-Ahli

  • Al Ahli v Al Nassr: Saudi Pro LeagueGetty Images Sport

    Ronaldo suffers poor evening as Toney strikes twice

    An all-action first half saw four strikes hit the back of the net, with Toney converting in the seventh minute to hand Al-Ahli an early lead. Things got even better for the hosts when the former Brentford striker latched onto a long ball from the back to finish powerfully for his second goal of the night.

    The visitors were shellshocked but were gifted a route back into the contest courtesy of a howler from goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi, who allowed Abdulelah Al-Amri's hopeful effort from distance to bounce through his legs.

    With Ronaldo out of sorts, it was again the centre-back who struck for Al-Nassr to level proceedings. Marcelo Brozovic's out-swinging corner was met by the Saudi Arabian defender, whose firm header couldn't be reached by Al-Sanbi.

    Toney made another telling contribution just before the hour mark, producing a brilliant flick to keep a set-piece alive and allow Merih Demiral to head in and make it 3-2.

    Al-Nassr huffed and puffed in their pursuit of an equaliser but with Ronaldo and Joao Felix both off form they couldn't haul themselves level again. There was some late drama as both Ali Majrashi and Nawaf Al-Boushail were sent off in stoppage time, but that was inconsequential as Al-Nassr fell to a first league defeat of the season, offering Al-Hilal the chance to usurp them at the top of the table on Sunday.

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  • Al Ahli v Al Nassr: Saudi Pro LeagueGetty Images Sport

    The MVP

    On a big night in the Saudi Pro League title race, it was Ivan Toney who got the better of his illustrious opposite number. The England international's brace handed Al-Ahli an early lead to set his side on course for victory, even if Al-Nassr managed to claw the score back to 2-2. His only regret for the night might be missing a relatively straightforward opportunity for a hat-trick, seeing his shot clip the post and trickle behind.

    Al-Ahli may still be six points behind Al-Nassr even with this win, but Toney's strike will have filled the squad with confidence as they look to eat up that deficit.

  • The big loser

    With three goals being scored by centre-backs, it clearly wasn't a night for strikers. However, Cristiano Ronaldo will still have been left unsatisfied by how the evening played out.

    The Portuguese legend was a total passenger during the first half as the game passed him by, while he completely fluffed one chance to bring his side level to 3-3 with a rusty piece of self control as the ball trickled through to the goalkeeper. He later blazed a long shot high and wide and gestured to the heavens with frustration, showing his own exasperation at his poor performance.

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  • Al Ahli v Al Nassr: Saudi Pro LeagueGetty Images Sport

    Match rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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