Saudi Pro League: QAD 2-1 NAS
ISLAMABAD: In a thrilling showdown in the Saudi Pro League, Al Qadsiah shocked title hopefuls Al Nassr with a 2-1 triumph, courtesy of a dramatic last-minute goal by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
This match was crucial for securing third place in the league standings, which guarantees a spot in the AFC Champions League.
The game began with Al Qadsiah taking control at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium, even though Al Nassr enjoyed more possession.
Al Qadsiah’s first real opportunity came through Aubameyang, whose long-range effort from 30 yards narrowly missed the target. Moments later, Turki Al-Ammar and Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat forced Al Nassr’s goalkeeper, Bento, into two critical saves.
Al Qadsiah’s persistence paid off in the 35th minute when Aubameyang’s shot was parried by Bento, and Al-Ammar capitalized on the rebound to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Al Nassr, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane leading the attack, found it difficult to break down Al Qadsiah’s well-organized defense. Despite some half-chances, Al Qadsiah’s goalkeeper Koen Casteels remained largely untroubled.
However, in the 84th minute, Sadio Mane leveled the score with a precise finish after receiving a perfectly timed pass from Otavio.
Just when it seemed the match would end in a draw, Aubameyang emerged as the hero in the 87th minute, scoring a spectacular header to secure all three points for Al Qadsiah.Warner to debut in HBL PSL 2025
This surprising win pushes Al Qadsiah to 55 points, lifting them into fifth place, while Al Nassr stays in third with 57 points.
The defeat leaves Al Nassr’s title ambitions hanging by a thread, as they now trail leaders Al Ittihad by eight points with only six matches remaining.
Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s efforts, he had a quiet game, failing to register a single shot on target. Al Nassr’s inability to break through Al Qadsiah’s defense raises concerns about their over-reliance on individual moments of brilliance rather than team cohesion.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who played a pivotal role in both of Al Qadsiah’s goals, was the standout player and the match-winner with his late header. This result adds more frustration to Al Nassr’s pursuit of the Saudi Pro League title, leaving them still without a league championship since Ronaldo’s arrival in 2023. The loss also dented their hopes of catching up with Al Hilal, who sit four points ahead, and Al Ittihad, who remain comfortably at the top of the standings.
