Al Nassr's 20-Game Winning Streak Ends in Shock 3-1 Defeat, Title Hopes Hanging by a Thread

Key facts

• Al Nassr lost 3-1 to Al Qadsiah on Sunday at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, ending a 20-match winning streak across all competitions.
• Joao Felix scored Al Nassr's only goal in the 26th minute; Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat (24'), Musab Al Juwayr (55'), and Julian Quinones (78') scored for Al Qadsiah.
• Cristiano Ronaldo hit the crossbar in the first half; he now sits third in the SPL Golden Boot race with 25 goals, behind Julian Quinones (29) and Ivan Toney (27).
• Al Nassr hold a five-point lead over second-placed Al Hilal, but Al Hilal have a game in hand against Al Khaleej on Tuesday.
• The Riyadh derby between Al Nassr and Al Hilal is scheduled for May 12 at Alawwal Park; a win for Al Hilal would put them one point clear if they also win their game in hand.
• Al Nassr face Al Shabab on May 7 before the derby; any further slip-ups could prove fatal to their title ambitions.
• Al Nassr are also preparing for the AFC Champions League Two final, but a league collapse with three games remaining would be devastating.
• Ronaldo posted on Instagram: 'One mission. We keep working. TOGETHER!'

A Stunning Collapse in Dammam

Al Nassr’s seemingly inexorable march toward the Saudi Pro League title was derailed on Sunday night as they fell 3-1 to Al Qadsiah at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam. The defeat ended a remarkable 20-match winning streak across all competitions, equaling the longest such run of Cristiano Ronaldo’s club career. Al Qadsiah, a side expected to offer little resistance, struck first in the 24th minute when Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat reacted quickest to poke home. Ronaldo almost replied instantly, his trademark curling effort rattling the crossbar, but Joao Felix did level in the 26th minute after a precise pass from Marcelo Brozovic. The equalizer proved fleeting. Al Nassr’s defense, repeatedly exposed throughout the night, conceded again in the 55th minute through Musab Al Juwayr. Any hope of a comeback was extinguished in the 78th minute when Julian Quinones punished another defensive lapse to make it 3-1.

Ronaldo’s Title Dream Hangs in the Balance

For Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in 2023 with the explicit aim of winning the Saudi Pro League, the defeat was a bitter setback. The Portuguese star is now third in the Golden Boot race with 25 goals, trailing Quinones (29) and Ivan Toney (27). Ronaldo took to Instagram after the match, posting: 'One mission. We keep working. TOGETHER!' The message underscores his determination, but the reality is that Al Nassr’s grip on the title has loosened dramatically.

Al Hilal Poised to Seize the Initiative

Al Nassr still sit top of the table, five points clear of second-placed Al Hilal. However, Al Hilal have a game in hand against Al Khaleej on Tuesday night. If they win that, the gap will shrink to two points. The two Riyadh giants are scheduled to meet on May 12 at Alawwal Park in what could be a title decider. If Al Hilal win their game in hand and then defeat Al Nassr, they will move one point clear, provided Al Nassr first beat Al Shabab on May 7. Al Hilal now effectively control their own destiny: win all remaining matches, and they are champions.

A Streak Ends, an Aura Shattered

The 20-match winning streak had given Al Nassr an aura of invincibility since early spring. That aura was shattered in Dammam. Coach Jorge Jesus was visibly irritated on the touchline as the final whistle blew. The defeat was particularly galling because it came against a side Al Nassr were expected to beat comfortably. The result also ended a run that had equaled the longest winning streak of Ronaldo’s club career, a small but symbolic blow.

The Road Ahead: No Room for Error

With three league games remaining, Al Nassr can ill afford another slip. Their next test is against Al Shabab on May 7, a match they must win to keep pressure on Al Hilal. Then comes the derby on May 12, a fixture that could decide the title. Beyond the league, Al Nassr are also preparing for the AFC Champions League Two final. But a collapse in the domestic campaign, with the trophy so close, would be devastating for a club that has invested heavily in stars like Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Joao Felix.

A Club Built for Glory, Now Under Pressure

Al Nassr, founded in 1955, is one of Saudi Arabia’s most decorated clubs, with nine Pro League titles, six King’s Cups, and a historic Asian double in 1998. The club is majority-owned by the Public Investment Fund (75%), with the remainder held by the Al-Nassr Non-Profit Foundation. Their motto, 'Al-Alami' (Worldwide), reflects global ambitions. But for now, the immediate focus is domestic: can they hold off Al Hilal and deliver Ronaldo his first league title in Saudi Arabia? The next two weeks will provide the answer.

The bottom line

• Al Nassr’s 20-match winning streak ended with a 3-1 loss to Al Qadsiah, reopening the Saudi Pro League title race.
• Al Hilal can move within two points by winning their game in hand, then potentially go top by beating Al Nassr on May 12.
• Cristiano Ronaldo is third in the Golden Boot race with 25 goals, trailing Julian Quinones (29) and Ivan Toney (27).
• Al Nassr must win their remaining matches, starting with Al Shabab on May 7, to keep their title hopes alive.
• The Riyadh derby on May 12 is likely to be decisive; Al Hilal control their own destiny.
• Al Nassr also have an AFC Champions League Two final to play, but a league collapse would be a major blow.