The new year has started with a turbulent match for Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr. The first game of 2026 showcased Al Nassr’s struggles against Al Ahli, despite the latter’s shortage of players. The match was filled with emotional roller coasters, featuring defensive lapses and missed opportunities.
Cristiano Faces Complete Disaster Against Al Ahli
Al Nassr began the game poorly, displaying disorganized defense. Just seven minutes in, Ivan Toney scored the first goal against them. Positioned perfectly, Toney took advantage of a weak defense to put Al Ahli ahead.
By the 20th minute, Al Nassr’s goalkeeper, Abdulrahman Al Sanbi, made a critical error that allowed Toney to score again, marking it 2-0. The performance of Ronaldo’s team was characterized by a lack of cohesion and frequent mistakes.
A Glimmer of Hope
When all seemed lost, Al Nassr managed to pull one back. A blunder by Al Ahli’s goalkeeper allowed a shot from Abdulelah Al Amri to slip through, making it 2-1. Despite being undermanned, Al Ahli continued to challenge Al Nassr effectively throughout the first half.
Further drama unfolded before halftime, as Al Amri scored again, leveling the match at 2-2. This unpredictable game saw Toney almost secure a hat trick, hitting the post shortly after.
Second Half Action
The second half began with João Félix creating promising opportunities for Al Nassr. However, Al Ahli regained their lead just eight minutes in through a header from Merih Demiral, placing the score at 3-2.
Ronaldo had a significant chance to equalize but failed to capitalize when a perfect pass from Félix put him in a great position. The team’s strategy seemed to falter at critical moments, as they struggled to find rhythm near the goal.
Closing Minutes
As the match drew to a close, Brozovic and Félix had clear scoring chances but failed to convert. Frustration boiled over, leading to a series of yellow and red cards, including a red for Al Ahli’s Ali Majrashi for an aggressive foul.
Despite more than 10 minutes of added time, Al Nassr could not find the equalizer. The match ended at 3-2, marking a disappointing start to the year for Cristiano and his team.
Implications for Al Nassr
This defeat leaves Al Nassr vulnerable in their pursuit of maintaining their lead in the league. The absence of key players like Sadio Mané, Simakan, and Bento significantly impacted their performance. Al Hilal now has a chance to claim the top spot, placing more pressure on Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates.
- Final Score: Al Ahli 3 – 2 Al Nassr
- Goals:
- Ivan Toney (6′, 19′)
- Abdulelah Al Amri (30′, 43′)
- Merih Demiral (54′)
- Notable Events:
- Two red cards for Al Ahli in the final minutes.
- Cristiano Ronaldo missing critical scoring opportunities.
Al Nassr needs to regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks in the league, as they aim to reclaim their dominant position.
