In a major upset during the twelfth round of the 2025/26 Saudi Professional League, Al-Ettifaq managed to inflict an unprecedented negative result on Al-Nassr this season, holding them to a 2-2 draw in their match on Tuesday evening. This result serves as a wake-up call for Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, as the encounter exposed defensive weaknesses that had gone unnoticed in previous rounds.
End of clean defensive record
Al-Ettifaq became the first team this season in the Roshan League to score two goals against Al-Nassr in a single match, shattering the defensive aura that had prevailed for the previous 11 rounds. Al-Nassr had gone 10 matches unbeaten (before facing Al-Ettifaq), displaying impressive performances that combined prolific scoring with defensive solidity. However, Al-Ettifaq had other ideas this round, bringing their winning streak to an end.
Record Al-Nasr's results before the Al-Ettifaq match
Looking at the team's performance before this draw, we find that Al-Nassr delivered strong performances in which they swept aside their opponents, and the results were as follows:
- First round: Al-Nassr 5 - 0 Al-Taawon
- Round Two: Al-Kholoud 0 - 2 Al-Nasr
- Third round: Riyadh 1 - 5 Al-Nasr
- Round 4: Al-Nasr 2 - 0 Al-Ittihad
- Round 5: Al-Fateh 1 - 5 Al-Nasr
- Round 6: Al-Nassr 2 - 0 Al-Hazm
- Round 7: Al-Fayha 1 - 2 Al-Nasr
- Round 8: Al-Nassr 3 - 1 Neom
- Round 9: Al-Khaleej 1 - 4 Al-Nasr
- Eleventh round: Al-Akhdoud 0 - 3 Al-Nasr
The competition for the top spot heats up
Despite this setback, Al-Nassr still sits atop the Roshan League standings with 31 points. However, this draw has narrowed the gap and intensified the competition, as Al-Nassr is now only 3 points ahead of second-placed Al-Taawoun and 5 points ahead of third-placed Al-Hilal, who still have a game in hand that could bring them closer to the top.
Context of development in the Saudi League
This draw reflects the significant development of the Saudi Professional League, where matches are no longer predetermined in favor of the big clubs. The massive investments and high-quality signings made by mid-table clubs like Al-Ettifaq have intensified the competition, demonstrating that maintaining a clean sheet or avoiding defeat has become an extremely challenging task, even for the strongest attacking and defensive teams. This development reinforces the league's status as one of the strongest in the region, where every match demands a high level of tactical and mental preparation.
In conclusion, this draw presents Al-Nasr's coaching staff with new challenges to address defensive errors before entering the fray of the upcoming crucial matches, to ensure maintaining the lead in light of the fierce pursuit from Al-Taawon and Al-Hilal.
