Al-Nassr Stunned at Home by Al-Qadisiyah: Ronaldo Goal Can’t Prevent Shock Saudi Pro League Upset

Al-Nassr suffered a major setback in their Saudi Pro League title push as they were beaten 1–2 at home by Al-Qadisiyah in a high-intensity clash at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty proving only a consolation.[2][3][5]

The match, part of the Saudi Pro League’s mid-season schedule, was billed as a crucial test for second-placed Al-Nassr against an in-form Al-Qadisiyah side pushing into the top four.[4][5] Pre-match projections had widely favoured Al-Nassr, who came in with 10 wins from 13 league games, but Al-Qadisiyah delivered one of the shocks of the season.[4][5]

Al-Nassr started on the front foot, backed by a packed home crowd, and finished the night with more possession and chances created. FotMob’s data shows Al-Nassr recorded around 55% possession, generated higher expected goals (xG) at approximately 2.68 to Al-Qadisiyah’s 1.91, and took 16 total shots to 7 from the visitors.[2] Despite this dominance on the stats sheet, it was Al-Qadisiyah’s efficiency and organisation that defined the game.

Al-Qadisiyah struck twice in the second half to silence the home support. Midfielder Nahitan Nández was at the heart of the visitors’ performance, scoring what proved to be the decisive second goal and later receiving a yellow card in a combative display.[2][3] Fox Sports’ play-by-play confirmed Nández’s goal around the 66th minute, extending Al-Qadisiyah’s lead to 2–0 after an earlier breakthrough.[3]

Al-Nassr responded through a late penalty, converted by Cristiano Ronaldo, which briefly raised hopes of a comeback.[2][5] The goal sparked a late surge from Jorge Jesus’ team, but despite sustained pressure and additional time that extended beyond 10 minutes, they could not find an equaliser as Al-Qadisiyah held firm.[3][5]

The defeat means Al-Nassr suffer back-to-back league losses, having already seen their unbeaten run snapped in the previous round.[4][5] According to the latest league table data, Al-Nassr remain in second place with 31 points from 13 matches, boasting a goal difference of +26.[5] However, the gap to leaders Al-Hilal, who sit on 35 points, has widened, tightening the pressure on Al-Nassr’s title ambitions.[5]

Al-Qadisiyah, by contrast, continue their impressive campaign. The win lifts them to 27 points from 13 matches, moving them into third place in the standings with a +13 goal difference and consolidating their status as serious contenders in the top half of the table.[5] The result follows a dominant 4–0 victory over Al-Riyadh earlier in the month, underlining a strong run of form.[4]

Post-match reaction has centred on Al-Nassr’s inability to convert dominance into goals and the growing scrutiny on their defensive concentration in key moments. Nigerian outlet Daily Post reports that Cristiano Ronaldo publicly reacted to the defeat, expressing disappointment at dropping points at home and emphasising the need for the team to respond strongly in upcoming fixtures.[6] His comments reflect the broader sentiment among Al-Nassr supporters, who expected a statement performance after the previous loss.

Tactically, Al-Qadisiyah’s game plan was clear: stay compact, absorb pressure, and counter with speed and precision. They limited Al-Nassr’s clear-cut chances despite the shot volume and capitalised clinically on their own opportunities, particularly in transition.[2][3] The tactical discipline, combined with standout contributions from Nández and the attacking unit, allowed them to weather Al-Nassr’s late onslaught.

For Indian fans, where interest in the Saudi Pro League has grown sharply due to Ronaldo’s presence and increased television coverage, this result is significant for the title race narrative. With Al-Hilal still setting the pace at the top and Al-Taawoun and Al-Qadisiyah close behind, Al-Nassr’s margin for error has narrowed considerably.[5] Any further slip-ups could turn the race from a two-team battle into a multi-club contest in the weeks ahead.

Looking forward, Al-Nassr will be under pressure to respond immediately in their next league fixtures to keep pace with Al-Hilal and hold off the challenge from Al-Qadisiyah and Al-Taawoun.[4][5] For Al-Qadisiyah, this result not only strengthens their position in the table but also sends a clear message that they can compete with the league’s biggest-spending clubs on the field, not just on paper.