The twelfth round of the Saudi Professional League witnessed great excitement and shifts in the balance of power, as Al-Ettifaq forced a 2-2 draw against the league leader, Al-Nasr, in a breathtaking match that proved once again that the competition in the Saudi League is no longer limited to specific names, but rather all clubs are now capable of making a difference.
Victory falters and the competition intensifies
This draw cost Al-Nassr two valuable points in the title race, opening the door wide for their pursuers to close the gap. Second-placed Al-Hilal and third-placed Al-Taawoun capitalized on this golden opportunity, securing victories against Al-Kholoud and Al-Najma respectively. As a result, the gap between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal has shrunk to just two points, and between Al-Nassr and Al-Taawoun to three, foreshadowing fiercely contested matches ahead that will leave no room for error. This also reflects the significant improvement in the league's technical level and the competitiveness of its clubs.
High-scoring matches and a Portuguese battle for the top spot
On the statistical front, this round was marked by a clear goal-scoring spree, with 25 goals finding the net, averaging 2.77 goals per match, reflecting the attacking prowess of the participating teams. In the race for the Golden Boot, Al-Nassr's stars, Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo and his compatriot João Félix, continued their exceptional form, each scoring a goal this round to share the top spot with 13 goals apiece, thus confirming the high level of skill that international professionals have brought to the league.
Arbitration and disciplinary decisions
The round also witnessed a notable refereeing presence, with three penalties awarded, all of which were successfully converted by Argentinian Ramiro Enrique (Al-Kholoud), Mexican Julian Quiñones (Al-Qadisiyah), and Belgian Yannick Carrasco (Al-Shabab). In terms of discipline, referees issued 36 yellow cards to maintain order during matches, in addition to three red cards shown to Roger Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Saleh Al-Abbas (Al-Akhdoud), and Abdulrahman Al-Dossari (Al-Kholoud).
Comprehensive figures and statistics
Looking at the league's statistics so far, 99 matches have been played, resulting in 301 goals – an average of 3.04 goals per game – highlighting the league's attacking prowess this season. Additionally, 39 penalties have been awarded, with 33 converted, while 383 yellow cards and 33 red cards have been issued, reflecting the high level of competition and physical challenges characterizing the matches.
