Primera División de Arabia Saudita: Al-Ahli stuns league-leading Al-Nassr with dramatic 3-2 comeback, Cristiano Ronaldo’s unbeaten record shattered in shocking upset

Al-Ahli defeated Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Nassr 3-2 on January 2, 2026, in a dramatic Jeddah clash that ended the league champions’ unbeaten run. Ivan Toney’s brace and Merih Demiral’s decisive header secured the shocking upset despite Abdulelah Al-Amri’s double attempt to rescue the visitors.

Al-Ahli’s Electric Start Shocks Ronaldo’s Leaders

Al-Ahli came out firing from the opening whistle, leaving Al-Nassr reeling in the opening stages. Ivan Toney put the hosts ahead in the 6th minute after latching onto Galeno’s low cross from six yards out, celebrating what appeared to be a dominant performance.

Just minutes later, Toney doubled his tally when he received a ball over the top and finished confidently to make it 2-0 in the 13th minute. Al-Ahli’s early ferocity seemed destined to blow away the league leaders, and the home crowd sensed they were witnessing something special.

Al-Amri’s Double Sparks Dramatic Comeback Bid

Behind on the scoreline, Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr needed immediate response. Abdulelah Al-Amri provided it in bizarre fashion when his long-range effort in the 31st minute went through the legs of Al-Ahli goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi, creating an embarrassing moment for the home defense.

Sensing momentum shifting, Al-Amri struck again on the stroke of half-time with a powerful header from Marcelo Brozovic’s outswinging corner to equalize at 2-2. The visiting supporters erupted—Al-Nassr had fought back after their slow opening to restore parity heading into the break.

Metric	Al-Ahli	Al-Nassr
League Position (Pre-Match)	4th Place	1st Place (Leaders)
Pre-Match Record	Strong Home Form	11-Game Unbeaten Streak
Key Scorers	Toney (2), Demiral (1)	Al-Amri (2)
Final Match Status	Victorious	Defeated

Demiral’s Header Delivers Knockout Blow

The second half exploded into action immediately. Less than 10 minutes after the restart, Merih Demiral rose above Al-Nassr’s defense to head in Ivan Toney’s touch-back from a Matheus Goncalves free-kick, restoring Al-Ahli’s lead at 3-2. The Turkish defender’s intervention proved the decisive moment, as the home side held firm despite Al-Nassr’s desperate search for an equalizer.

Cristiano Ronaldo wasted a golden opportunity in the 62nd minute when João Félix played a pinpoint pass into the box, but the Portuguese star’s touch abandoned him at the critical moment. Late pressure from the visitors, including a deflected Félix effort, came to nothing as Al-Ahli’s defense stood resolute.

Red Cards Add Drama as Unbeaten Streak Shatters

Tempers boiled over in stoppage time when tensions spilled into ugly scenes. Ali Majrashi received his marching orders for a slap on João Félix, while Nawaf Boushal saw red for a last-man foul, leaving both sides reduced to 10 players. The dismissals capped a chaotic finale to a match that proved far more competitive than Al-Nassr’s pre-game form suggested.

“It’s only over when we say it is.”

— Al-Ahli Saudi Club, Official Statement

What Does This Defeat Mean for the Title Race?

With Al-Nassr’s unbeaten streak now broken at 11 matches, the door swings wide open in the title race. Second-placed Al-Hilal can leapfrog the champions with a victory over struggling Damac on Sunday, January 5th. For Al-Ahli, the win strengthens their grip on fourth place and proves they possess the quality to compete with the league’s elite.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus’s squad must now respond decisively to halt any momentum shifts in the championship battle. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli’s statement victory signals they are emerging as genuine contenders in Saudi Arabia’s most exciting campaign yet.

Sources

• 101 Great Goals – Comprehensive match report with official stats
• ESPN – Live coverage and fixture information
• Arab News – Analysis of Al-Nassr’s unbeaten streak end