Al Nassr dropped their first points after 10 straight wins, drawing 2-2 away to Al Ettifaq as Wijnaldum scored twice and Ronaldo and Joao Felix found the net, keeping Nassr top but tightening the title race.
Al Nassr dropped their first points of the Saudi league season after an extraordinary run of 10 straight wins, being held to a 2-2 draw away to Al Ettifaq in a match that swung sharply in momentum and ultimately left the leaders with a rare feeling of frustration.
For weeks, Al Nassr had looked like a side capable of turning every league fixture into a controlled exercise: score first, manage the rhythm, and let their individual quality decide key moments. That pattern was immediately disrupted here. Al Ettifaq played with intensity from the opening exchanges and were rewarded in the 16th minute when Georginio Wijnaldum opened the scoring. The goal set the tone for a first half in which Al Nassr were forced to chase the game, rather than dictate it.
Al Ettifaq’s early advantage did more than put them ahead on the scoreboard. It allowed them to defend with greater compactness, choosing their moments to press while staying organised behind the ball. Al Nassr, by contrast, had to take more risks in their build-up and commit bodies forward earlier than they would normally prefer. Even without a flood of clear chances, the match felt tense because the leaders were not operating on their usual terms.
The second half began with a decisive shift. Al Nassr returned from the break with more urgency, moving the ball faster and committing more runners into the spaces around the box. That pressure paid off almost immediately, as Joao Felix equalised in the 47th minute. The goal was a timely reminder of why Al Nassr have been so relentless this season: even when they are not at their best, they can find solutions quickly through elite attackers.
With the scores level, the match opened up. Al Ettifaq had to decide whether to protect the point or continue pushing for a win, while Al Nassr sensed an opportunity to restore order by completing the turnaround. In the 67th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered the moment that seemed likely to define the night. His goal put Al Nassr 2-1 ahead and looked set to extend the winning streak to 11 games. From a psychological standpoint, it was exactly the kind of sequence that champions produce: absorb a difficult period, strike early in the second half, then apply decisive quality to move in front.
At that stage, the expectation was that Al Nassr would manage the remainder of the match with the experience and control that have underpinned their league dominance. However, Al Ettifaq refused to accept the script. Rather than fading after losing their lead, they continued to compete for second balls, press selectively, and look for moments to attack with purpose. The persistence paid off in the 80th minute when Wijnaldum scored again to complete his brace and make it 2-2.
The late equaliser changed the final minutes into a tense, tactical push and pull. Al Nassr still had time to search for a winner, but the momentum had shifted. Al Ettifaq, energised by the comeback, could defend with renewed belief and focus on denying space in the most dangerous central areas. For Al Nassr, the draw will feel like a missed opportunity because they had already done the hard part by overturning the deficit and taking the lead. Dropping points after being in front always raises questions about game management, concentration, and defensive control in decisive phases.
Despite the setback, the league table still reflects Al Nassr’s outstanding start. They remain top of the standings and now hold a 3 point lead over Al Taawon. They are also 5 points clear of Al Hilal, although Al Hilal have played 1 game fewer, a detail that adds a layer of pressure going into the next round of fixtures. A game in hand can quickly reshape a title race, especially when the chasing side has the squad depth and winning experience to string results together.
From Al Nassr’s perspective, there are still plenty of positives. Extending an unbeaten run, even when a winning streak ends, is not insignificant. The response after half-time showed character and quality, with Felix and Ronaldo both delivering when the team needed goals. At the same time, this match serves as a warning that the margin for error tightens as the season progresses. Opponents will increasingly treat fixtures against the leaders as statement opportunities, and teams like Al Ettifaq will take confidence from proving that Al Nassr can be held, even when they briefly look in control.
For Al Ettifaq, the result will be viewed as a major boost. Taking a point at home against the league leaders, and doing it by responding to adversity after being pegged back and then falling behind, speaks to resilience and belief. Wijnaldum’s 2 goals were the headline, but the broader performance will matter just as much: the willingness to compete, to stay organised, and to keep pushing for an opening even late in the match.
Al Nassr now move forward with their lead intact, but with a clearer message about what the title race may demand. The next fixtures will not only test their attacking firepower, but also their ability to close games out when leading and to avoid giving opponents a route back in during the final phase.
