The Saudi Pro League title race has been blown wide open. In a result that few saw coming, league leaders Al Nassr suffered a bruising 3-1 defeat at the hands of Al Qadsiah on Sunday night. The loss brings a crashing end to Al Nassr’s incredible 16-match winning streak and provides a massive lifeline to their rivals in the hunt for the crown.
A Match of Missed Chances
From the opening whistle at the Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium, Al Nassr looked uncharacteristically sluggish. The hosts took full advantage of the visitors’ slow start in the 24th minute, when Mohammed Abu Al Shamat ghosted into the box to finish a dangerous cross from Christopher Bonsu Baah.
Al Nassr did find a response before the break. After Cristiano Ronaldo rattled the crossbar with a powerful effort, João Félix restored parity in the 39th minute, sweeping home a brilliant first-time shot following a low cross from Marcelo Brozović. At 1-1, it looked like the leaders might find their gear in the second half.
The Second Half Collapse
The expected Al Nassr surge never materialized. Instead, it was Al Qadsiah who stepped on the gas. Ten minutes after the restart, Brozović was caught in possession deep in his own half—a rare error that proved costly. Musab Al-Juwayr capitalized on the mistake, slotting home to restore the hosts’ lead.
The knockout blow arrived in the 78th minute. Julián Quiñones, who was a thorn in the side of the Al Nassr defense all night, capped off a Man of the Match performance by firing into the bottom corner to make it 3-1. Despite a late flurry of speculative long-range efforts from Ronaldo, Al Nassr couldn’t find a way back.
Title Race Intensity
This defeat is a significant psychological blow for Jorge Jesus’ side. While Al Nassr remains at the top of the table with 79 points, their lead over second-placed Al Hilal could shrink to just two points if the defending champions win their game in hand.
With only three rounds remaining in the 2025/26 season, the pressure is now firmly back on the leaders. Every mistake from here on out could be the difference between lifting the trophy and a heartbreaking second-place finish.
