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Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr face a potentially crucial Saudi Pro League trip to face leaders Al-Hilal on Monday after the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and his club’s worst run of the season continued with a shock home defeat to Al Qadsiah at Al-Awwal Park.
Mexican striker Julian Quinones capitalized on a terrible goalkeeping error from Nawaf Al Aqidi to put former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers’ new side ahead in the 51st minute, putting Al-Nassr on course for a second successive defeat in a three-match winless run.
Quinones then took advantage of more hapless defending to break into the box on the right and slot home Mateo Retegui, with Al Aqidi pushing the Italian international’s shot into the feet of Nahitan Nandez to strike from close range.
Ronaldo scored his 14th goal of the season nine minutes from time when he slotted home a weak penalty after Jehad Thikri was deemed successful, but the side who had won their first 10 league matches of the season now face the prospect of dropping seven points if they lose to their neighbors.
Al Nassr vs Al Qadsiah: Ronaldo still suffers
Al Aqidi gifted Al Qadsiah their first goal, rushing near the halfway line and completing an absurdly casual pass attempt against the onrushing Quinones, who charged towards the unguarded net and scored.
Visiting goalkeeper Koen Casteels was then forced off following a clumsy challenge from Angelo after the Al-Nassr winger kicked the ball, necessitating a delay of around seven minutes.
Substitute Ahmed Al Kassar had barely familiarized himself with his penalty area when Nandez crashed over at the other end.
Al-Qadsiah, who moved up to fourth in a promising start for Northern Irishman Rodgers, was left aggrieved by the decision against Thikri – confirmed by a video assistant referee check – but held on for 11 minutes of injury time to secure the upset.
While Al-Hilal beat Al-Hazm 3-0 at home earlier in the day, Al-Nassr are now four points behind Simone Inzaghi’s side, who are on a 10-match winning streak.
Al Nassr Team vs Al Qadsiah
Saudi striker Mohammed Maran was on the bench and was asked to find another club as Al-Nassr called on Abdullah Al-Hamdan from Al-Hilal, according to Al-Riyadh.
Left-back Saad Al Nasser replaced Abdullah Al Khaibari in their only change. Striker Sadio Mané participated in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Portuguese attackers Joao Felix and Ronaldo remained the Saudi Pro League’s top scorers with 13 goals each, but neither had scored in the 3-2 defeat at Al-Ahli six days earlier, with central defender Abdulelah Al Amri scoring both of his team’s goals.
Al-Nassr starting lineup: Nawaf Al Aqidi, Isigo Martinez, Angelo, Angelo, Marcelo Brozovic
Al-Nasr substitutes: Bento, Nader Al Sharari, Mohammed Marran, Ali Al Hassan, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Awad Aman, Haroune Camara, Wesley, Saad Al Nasser
Al Qadsiah Team vs Al Nassr
Al-Qadsiah made two changes, bringing on midfielder Ali Abdullah Hazazi and defender Thikri. Yasser Al Shahrani was on the bench and Musab Al Juwayr was not in the squad in the 4-0 home win over Riyadh four days earlier.
Former Al-Nassr playmaker Otavio was injured.
Al-Qadsiah starting lineup: Koen Casteels, Mohammed Abu Al Shamat, Nacho, Jehad Thikri, Gaston Alvarez, Ali Abdullah Hazazi, Nahitan Nandez, Julian Weigl, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Mateo Retegui, Julian Quinones
Al-Qadsiah replaces: Ahmed Al Kassar, Turki Al Ammar, Abdullah Al Salem, Yasser Al Shahrani, Saif Rashad, Hussain Al Qahtani, Ibrahim Mahnashi, Mohammed Al Thani, Qassem Lajami
