Al-Nassr's 20-Game Winning Streak Shattered in 3-1 Defeat to Al-Qadsiah

Key facts

• Al-Nassr lost 3-1 to Al-Qadsiah on Sunday night in the 31st round of the Saudi Pro League.
• The defeat ended Al-Nassr's run of 20 consecutive victories across all competitions.
• Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat opened the scoring for Al-Qadsiah in the 24th minute.
• João Félix equalized for Al-Nassr in the 26th minute, his 23rd goal of the season.
• Musab Al Juwayr restored Al-Qadsiah's lead in the 55th minute, and Julián Quiñones made it 3-1 in the 78th.
• Al-Nassr still leads the league by five points, but Al-Hilal has a game in hand.
• Al-Nassr faces Al Shabab on May 7 before a potential title decider against Al-Hilal on May 12.
• Cristiano Ronaldo hit the crossbar with a curling strike in the first half.

A Stunning Collapse in the Title Race

Al-Nassr's seemingly unstoppable march toward the Saudi Pro League trophy came to a jarring halt on Sunday night as they fell 3-1 to Al-Qadsiah, a side they were heavily favored to beat. The defeat, which ended a remarkable 20-match winning streak across all competitions, has handed the initiative back to their archrivals Al-Hilal in a title race that now hangs by a thread. The result was all the more shocking given Al-Nassr's dominant form since early spring. What had looked like an inevitable coronation now faces serious jeopardy, with the aura of invincibility that surrounded Jorge Jesus's squad shattered at the worst possible moment.

Al-Qadsiah Strikes First and Holds Firm

Al-Qadsiah, playing at home, refused to be intimidated by their high-profile opponents. In the 24th minute, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat reacted quickest to a loose ball and slotted home, rewarding his side's energetic start. The goal stunned Al-Nassr, who had expected a routine hurdle on their path to the title. Cristiano Ronaldo attempted an immediate response, unleashing a trademark curling strike that looked destined for the top corner. But the ball rattled off the crossbar, leaving the Portuguese captain frustrated as his team struggled to find rhythm in a difficult first half.

Félix Equalizes but Defensive Frailties Persist

Just two minutes after Ronaldo's near miss, João Félix capitalized on a lapse in the Al-Qadsiah backline. Marcelo Brozovic delivered a precise pass, and the former Barcelona forward slotted home his 23rd goal of the season in all competitions, bringing Al-Nassr level. Despite the momentary relief, Jorge Jesus's side remained defensively fragile. The backline was repeatedly exposed, and in the 55th minute, Musab Al Juwayr restored Al-Qadsiah's lead. Any hopes of a late comeback were extinguished in the 78th minute when Julián Quiñones punished another defensive error to make it 3-1, securing a famous victory for the home side.

The End of an Unbeaten Run

When the final whistle blew, Jesus was visibly irritated on the touchline. The defeat was particularly bitter as it ended a remarkable run of 20 consecutive victories for Al-Nassr across all competitions. What had looked like an unstoppable march toward the Saudi Pro League trophy has now been derailed by a side they were expected to beat comfortably. While Al-Nassr still sit at the top of the table for now, the aura of invincibility that had surrounded the squad since early spring has been shattered at the worst possible time.

Al-Hilal Now Controls Its Own Destiny

The implications for the league table are significant. Al-Nassr currently hold a five-point lead over Al-Hilal, but Jesus's former club has a crucial game in hand. With the two giants scheduled to face each other in a potential title decider on May 12, Al-Hilal now effectively control their own destiny; if they win their remaining matches, they will be crowned champions. Before that highly anticipated showdown, Al-Nassr must regroup to face Al Shabab on May 7, knowing they can no longer afford any more slip-ups in this tense title race.

A Club Built on History and Ambition

Al-Nassr, founded in 1955 and based in Riyadh, is one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, with 25 official trophies. Domestically, they have won nine Pro League titles, six King's Cups, three Crown Prince's Cups, three Federation Cups, and two Saudi Super Cups. Internationally, they achieved a historic Asian double in 1998 by winning both the Asian Cup Winners' Cup and the Asian Super Cup, and they represented the AFC region in the first FIFA Club World Cup in 2000. The club's success was built around the "Saudi Golden Trio" of Majed Abdullah, Fahd Al-Herafy, and Mohaisn Al-Jam'aan in the 1970s and 1980s. Majed Abdullah remains the club's all-time leader in goals and appearances. In recent years, Al-Nassr has attracted global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and João Félix, reflecting its motto "Al-Alami" (Worldwide). The club is majority-owned by the Public Investment Fund, which holds 75% of shares, while the remaining 25% are owned by the Al-Nassr Non-Profit Foundation. Their home colors are yellow and blue, and they play at Al-Awwal Park.

What Lies Ahead for Al-Nassr

The defeat to Al-Qadsiah has transformed the title race from a seemingly straightforward procession into a high-stakes drama. Al-Nassr must now win their remaining matches, starting with Al Shabab on May 7, to keep pressure on Al-Hilal. The May 12 clash between the two rivals now looms as a potential title decider, with Al-Hilal holding the advantage. For Cristiano Ronaldo, who is nearing the end of a five-year trophy drought, the stakes could not be higher. The Portuguese legend's frustration was evident as his curling strike hit the crossbar, a moment that encapsulated Al-Nassr's night of missed opportunities and defensive lapses. The coming weeks will test the resilience of a squad that had grown accustomed to victory, now facing the prospect of seeing the league title slip away.

The bottom line

• Al-Nassr's 20-match winning streak ended with a 3-1 loss to Al-Qadsiah, a significant upset in the Saudi Pro League.
• Al-Hilal now controls its own destiny in the title race, holding a game in hand and a potential decisive match on May 12.
• Defensive vulnerabilities were exposed repeatedly, with Al-Qadsiah scoring three goals from defensive errors.
• Cristiano Ronaldo hit the crossbar in the first half, a key moment that could have changed the match's outcome.
• João Félix scored his 23rd goal of the season, but it was not enough to salvage a result.
• Al-Nassr must win their remaining games, starting with Al Shabab on May 7, to stay in contention for the title.