Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr suffered a painful setback in their Saudi Pro League title chase on Sunday, falling to a surprise 3-1 defeat away to Al-Qadsiah.
The loss brought an abrupt end to Al-Nassr’s impressive 20-match winning run across all competitions and handed the initiative back to their rivals in the tight race for the league crown.
In what was expected to be a straightforward fixture in round 31, Al-Nassr were caught off guard by a spirited Al-Qadsiah side.
The hosts took a deserved lead in the 24th minute when Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat pounced quickly to score, capping off an energetic opening spell.
Ronaldo nearly dragged his team level moments later with a trademark curling effort that looked destined for the top corner, only for the ball to crash back off the crossbar.
The miss left the Portuguese superstar visibly frustrated as Al-Nassr struggled to find their usual fluency in a difficult first half.
Al-Nassr did restore parity just two minutes after Ronaldo’s near miss. João Félix produced a clinical finish — his 23rd goal of the season across all competitions — after latching onto a precise pass from Marcelo Brozović.
However, the joy was short-lived. Jorge Jesus’ side continued to look vulnerable at the back, and Musab Al-Juwayr restored Al-Qadsiah’s lead in the 55th minute.
Any hopes of a comeback were then dashed in the 78th minute when Julián Quiñones exploited yet another defensive lapse to make it 3-1 and seal the victory for the home team.
Jorge Jesus cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as the final whistle blew. The defeat was especially bitter as it ended Al-Nassr’s remarkable 20-game unbeaten run in style.
While Al-Nassr remain top of the Saudi Pro League table with a five-point lead over Al-Hilal, the aura of invincibility they had built since early spring has now been shattered at a critical moment.
Al-Hilal, who have a game in hand, now hold their destiny in their own hands. If they win their remaining fixtures — including the highly anticipated clash against Al-Nassr on May 12 — they will be crowned champions.
Before that potential title decider, Al-Nassr must bounce back quickly as they face Al-Shabab on May 7. In this tense race, there is no longer any room for error.
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