Ivan Toney netted a brace as Al-Ahli Saudi handed Al Nassr its first defeat in the 2025-26 Saudi Professional League season with a 3-2 triumph at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Friday 2 January, 2025.
Al-Ahli Saudi mercilessly took advantage of Al Nassr’s high defensive line to race into an early 2-0 lead thanks to a double from English striker Toney in the 7th and 20th minutes.
The home side had threatened as early as the first minute when Galeno hit the crossbar, and made good on that threat when Toney tucked away a square pass from Galeno in the seventh minute.
But, in the 31st and 45th minutes, A. Al-Amri scored twice for The Global One and parity was restored.
The hosts, determined to grab maximum points, reclaimed their lead in the 55th minute through M. Demiral.
Al Ahli’s A. Majrashi and Al Nassr’s N. Bu Washi, were showed straight red cards in the 6th and 9th minutes of additional time respectively.
With this outcome, Al Nassr are still toppers with thirty-one (31) points, trailed by Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal with twenty-nine (29) points after eleven (11) matches, while, Al Ahli are 4th with twenty-five (25) points after twelve (12) games, same number of games as Cristiano Ronaldo’s side.
Photo: Cristiano Ronaldo (l) in action for Al Nassr against Al Ahli | AFP
