Well, that was something else. In a league that’s been grabbing headlines for its star power, it was a night of pure, unadulterated football chaos in Jeddah. On January 3rd, 2026, Al-Ahli Saudi didn’t just beat Al Nassr; they shattered their aura of invincibility. The final score was 3-2, but that simple number doesn't even begin to tell the story of a match that had everything: tactical genius, defensive blunders, unlikely heroes, and a global superstar left utterly frustrated.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Ivan Toney scored a stunning brace in the opening 20 minutes to give Al-Ahli Saudi a dominant start.
- ✓ Al Nassr suffered its first defeat of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League season in a thrilling 3-2 victory for the home side.
- ✓ Centre-back Abdulelah Al Amri scored two unlikely goals to bring Al Nassr level before halftime.
- ✓ Merih Demiral scored the winning goal in the second half, assisted by an acrobatic flick from Toney.
- ✓ Cristiano Ronaldo had a notably quiet and frustrating evening, failing to make an impact on the game.
- ✓ The match ended with late drama as both teams received a red card in stoppage time.
This wasn't just another game. This was the end of Al Nassr's long unbeaten run and a massive jolt to the Saudi Pro League title race. What we witnessed at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium was a tactical masterclass from one side and a stunning display of vulnerability from the other. For anyone who thought Al Nassr would cruise to the title, this match was a loud and clear wake-up call.
Toney's Early Blitz Exposes a Lethal Flaw
From the very first minute, Al-Ahli had a clear plan: attack Al Nassr's high defensive line. It was bold, it was risky, and it paid off spectacularly. You could see the intent when Galeno rattled the crossbar within moments of kickoff. That was the warning shot. The real damage came just six minutes later, and the architect was the brilliant English striker, Ivan Toney. He coolly tucked away a pass from Galeno, and just like that, the league leaders were behind.
But the second goal, coming in the 20th minute, was the real tactical masterpiece. A long ball from deep inside Al-Ahli's own half completely split the Al Nassr defense. Toney, with his intelligent movement, timed his run to perfection, latched onto it, and hammered the ball past the keeper. It was a textbook exploitation of a high line. Al Nassr was playing a dangerous game, trying to press high up the pitch, and Toney was the perfect striker to punish them for it—fast, strong, and clinical.
What this tells us is that while Al Nassr’s star-studded attack gets all the attention, their defensive structure can be surprisingly fragile. They were shellshocked. At 2-0 down within 20 minutes, you could see the disbelief on their players' faces. This wasn't in the script. The home side had identified a weakness and were ruthlessly exploiting it, with Toney leading the charge. It was a statement of intent, proving that tactical intelligence can often trump sheer star power.
A Tale of Two Strikers
The contrast between the two main frontmen couldn't have been more stark. While Toney was terrorizing the Al Nassr backline, Cristiano Ronaldo was a peripheral figure. The game was happening around him, not through him. Toney's performance was a clinic in modern center-forward play: holding up the ball, making intelligent runs, and finishing with deadly precision. He was the focal point of everything good Al-Ahli did.
The Unlikely Comeback and a Goalkeeper's Nightmare
Just when it looked like Al-Ahli would run away with it, the game took a bizarre twist. Al Nassr was handed a lifeline from the most unexpected of sources. In the 31st minute, centre-back Abdulelah Al Amri hit a hopeful, long-range shot. It was the kind of effort that goalkeepers deal with in their sleep. But not this time. In a moment he’ll want to erase from memory, Al-Ahli keeper Abdulrahman Al Sanbi fumbled the ball, letting it squirm between his legs and into the net.
It was a shocking error, the kind of mistake that completely changes the momentum of a match. Suddenly, Al Nassr had a flicker of hope where none existed moments before. And incredibly, lightning struck twice from the same source. Just before halftime, Al Amri, the defender, did it again. He rose powerfully to meet a corner from Marcelo Brozovic and thundered a header into the net. Just like that, it was 2-2. A defender had single-handedly dragged the league leaders back from the brink.
From my perspective, this period showed both the resilience and the sheer luck that champions sometimes need. Al Nassr was outplayed for most of the half, yet they went into the break level. It speaks volumes about their mentality, but it also papers over the cracks. Relying on a goalkeeper howler and two set-piece goals from a defender isn't a sustainable strategy. It was a chaotic, thrilling, and completely unpredictable end to the first 45 minutes.
Demiral's Decisive Moment Proves Toney's Value
After such a wild first half, you wondered if Al-Ahli had lost their nerve. They had dominated, built a two-goal lead, and then watched it evaporate thanks to a goalkeeping error and a set-piece. But they came out in the second half with renewed purpose, and once again, Ivan Toney was at the heart of it. This time, however, he wasn't the finisher; he was the creator, and in spectacular fashion.
Around the 55th minute, a free-kick from Matheus Goncalves was sent into the box. It looked like it might drift away, but Toney, with incredible athleticism, produced an acrobatic hook kick, flicking the ball back across the face of the goal. Right there, waiting to pounce, was defender Merih Demiral, who nodded it home from close range. It was a moment of pure improvisation and skill from Toney that created the winning goal out of nothing.
This goal is so important because it highlights that Toney's contribution goes way beyond just putting the ball in the net. His physical presence, his awareness, and his technical ability make him a complete forward. He bullied the Al Nassr defense all night, and this assist was the cherry on top. It was the decisive moment that ultimately secured a massive three points for his team and re-established their deserved lead.
When Superstars Go Silent: Ronaldo's Frustrating Night
For all the drama and action, one of the biggest stories of the night was a non-story. Where was Cristiano Ronaldo? The Portuguese legend, a player who has defined countless big games, was a ghost. His entire contribution of note across 90 minutes was a single off-target header in the first half. For a player of his caliber, that's almost unheard of. He was effectively neutralized by the Al-Ahli defense.
Al Nassr dominated possession in the second half as they chased an equalizer, but they lacked any real cutting edge. With Ronaldo and fellow star Joao Felix both off their game, the attack looked toothless. At one point, Ronaldo had a chance to bring his side level but fluffed his lines, with a rusty touch letting the ball trickle away. His frustration was visible, culminating in a wild long-shot blazed high over the bar and a gesture of exasperation towards the heavens. He knew it wasn't his night.
Here’s the real takeaway: this match serves as a blueprint for how to play against Al Nassr. If you can keep Ronaldo quiet, if you can isolate him from the game, their entire attacking structure can look pedestrian. It shows that while they have immense talent, their dependency on their superstar is also a potential weakness. It was a humbling night for one of football's all-time greats and a tactical victory for Al-Ahli's defensive organization.
Late Drama and A Wide-Open Title Race
As if the match needed any more spice, it ended in a flurry of tempers and red cards. In stoppage time, Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi was sent off for slapping Joao Felix, a moment of petulance that could have cost his team. Shortly after, Al Nassr were also reduced to ten men when Nawaf Boushal was dismissed for tripping the last man. It was a chaotic end to a chaotic game, but ultimately, it didn't change the outcome.
The real story here is the implication for the league table. This loss is a massive blow to Al Nassr. It’s not just about the dropped points; it’s about the psychological damage and the massive opportunity it hands to their fiercest rivals, Al Hilal. With this result, Al Hilal now has the chance to leapfrog Al Nassr and move to the top of the table. The title race, which some thought might become a procession, has been blown wide open.
For Al-Ahli, this victory is huge. They remain in fourth place, but they've closed the gap on the teams above them and, more importantly, proven they can go toe-to-toe with the very best in the league. Ivan Toney’s performance will fill the entire squad with immense confidence. They didn't just win; they earned it through a smart game plan and a world-class performance from their star striker.
Conclusion
In the end, this was more than just a 3-2 result. It was a story of one striker's brilliance against a team's surprising vulnerability. Ivan Toney delivered an absolute masterclass, not just with his goals but with his all-around play, while Cristiano Ronaldo was left a frustrated spectator. Al Nassr’s unbeaten streak is over, and their defensive frailties have been laid bare for all to see.
The biggest winner from this chaotic night in Jeddah might just be Al Hilal, who now have a golden opportunity to take control of the Saudi Pro League. This result has injected a huge dose of drama and uncertainty into the title race, and frankly, that makes it all the more exciting for us fans. One thing is for sure: this league is far from a one-horse race.
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This article was written by the editorial team at ChopalCharcha, dedicated to bringing you the latest news, trends, and insights across entertainment, lifestyle, sports, and more.
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