Al Qadsiah Stun Al Nassr 3-1, Ending 20-Game Winning Streak and Tightening Saudi Title Race

Key facts

• Al Qadsiah defeated Al Nassr 3-1 on May 3, 2026 at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Dammam.
• The loss ended Al Nassr’s 20-match winning streak across all competitions, equaling the longest such run of Ronaldo’s club career.
• Al Nassr remain top with 79 points from 31 matches, but second-placed Al Hilal have 74 points with a game in hand.
• Mohammed Abu Al Shamat opened the scoring in the 24th minute; João Félix equalized in the 39th minute.
• Musab Al Juwayr restored Al Qadsiah’s lead in the 55th minute, and Julián Quiñones sealed the win in the 78th minute.
• Quiñones’ goal moved him to 29 league goals, ahead of Ronaldo (25) in the Golden Boot race.
• Al Qadsiah moved to 68 points in fourth place, one point behind Al Ahli.
• The Riyadh derby between Al Nassr and Al Hilal on May 12 could decide the title.

A Shock Defeat in Dammam

Al Nassr’s relentless march toward the Saudi Pro League title hit a devastating roadblock on Sunday night as Al Qadsiah handed them a 3-1 defeat at the Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Dammam. The loss snapped a 20-match winning streak across all competitions, a run that had matched the longest such sequence of Cristiano Ronaldo’s storied club career. For the league leaders, the timing could not be worse. With just three games remaining, the defeat has reopened the title race and given second-placed Al Hilal a lifeline. Al Hilal, who trail by five points but hold a game in hand, can cut the gap to two points with a win over Al Khaleej on Tuesday night.

How the Match Unfolded

Al Qadsiah, unbeaten at home this season, struck first in the 24th minute when Mohammed Abu Al Shamat finished from close range after capitalizing on defensive disorganization in the Al Nassr backline. The visitors responded before halftime: João Félix produced a composed finish in the 39th minute to level the score at 1-1. But Al Qadsiah regained control early in the second half. In the 55th minute, Musab Al Juwayr slotted home after being set up by Julián Quiñones, restoring the home side’s advantage. Al Nassr pushed for an equalizer but were caught on the counter, and Quiñones sealed the result in the 78th minute with a clinical strike to make it 3-1.

Ronaldo’s Double Blow: Title Hopes and Golden Boot Slip

For Cristiano Ronaldo, the defeat carried a double sting. The Portuguese star, who joined Al Nassr in 2023 and has yet to win a major trophy with the club, saw his team’s grip on the league title loosen. In a social media post after the match, Ronaldo wrote: “One mission. We keep working. TOGETHER!” Compounding the setback, Ronaldo slipped further behind in the Golden Boot race. He now sits third on 25 goals, while Quiñones moved to 29 with his strike, and Ivan Toney of Al Ahli remains second on 27. The gap underscores the mounting pressure on the 40-year-old forward as the season enters its decisive phase.

Al Qadsiah’s Statement Victory

Al Qadsiah’s win was no fluke. The team, coached by a well-organized unit, executed a disciplined game plan that neutralized Al Nassr’s attacking threats. With 68 points from 31 matches, they moved into fourth place, just one point behind Al Ahli, and strengthened their push for a top-three finish and continental qualification. The result also highlighted the depth of the Saudi Pro League, where a side like Al Qadsiah can topple the league leaders on home soil. Their unbeaten home record this season now stands as a testament to their resilience.

The Title Race: A Decisive Riyadh Derby Looms

The mathematics of the title race have shifted dramatically. Al Nassr still lead with 79 points, but Al Hilal, on 74, can move to within two points if they win their game in hand. The two sides meet on May 12 at Alawwal Park in Riyadh, a fixture that could prove decisive. If Al Hilal win both their game in hand and the derby, they would leapfrog Al Nassr by one point, provided Al Nassr first beat Al Shabab on Thursday. The scenario places immense pressure on Ronaldo and his teammates, who must now navigate a treacherous final stretch without the cushion of a long winning run.

What Comes Next for Al Nassr

Al Nassr still have an AFC Champions League Two final to focus on, but the league collapse would be devastating if it materializes. With only three matches left, every point is critical. The team must regroup quickly ahead of Thursday’s clash with Al Shabab, a game they can ill afford to drop points in. For Ronaldo, the dream of a first Saudi Pro League title now hangs by a thread. The Riyadh derby on May 12 will likely determine whether that dream survives or shatters.

The bottom line

• Al Qadsiah’s 3-1 win ended Al Nassr’s 20-match winning streak and tightened the Saudi Pro League title race.
• Al Hilal can close to within two points of leaders Al Nassr by winning their game in hand.
• Cristiano Ronaldo’s Golden Boot hopes suffered as Julián Quiñones moved to 29 goals, four ahead of Ronaldo’s 25.
• Al Qadsiah remain unbeaten at home and moved to fourth place with 68 points, boosting their continental qualification bid.
• The Riyadh derby on May 12 between Al Nassr and Al Hilal could decide the league champion.
• Al Nassr have three league games left and an AFC Champions League Two final to contest.