Honestly, if you’d told me a year ago that Al Nassr would be dropping back-to-back games in the middle of a title race, I’d have probably laughed. But here we are. The recent Al Nassr vs Al Qadsia clash at Al-Awwal Park wasn't just another fixture on the calendar; it was a loud, messy wake-up call for Jorge Jesus and his squad.
The stadium was packed. 25,827 fans showed up expecting a routine bounce-back after that painful 3-2 loss to Al Ahli. Instead, they watched Al Qadsia—newly under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers—execute a tactical masterclass that left Cristiano Ronaldo looking more frustrated than we've seen him in months.
What Really Happened With Al Nassr vs Al Qadsia
The game kicked off with Al Nassr dominating the ball. They finished the night with 55% possession and 16 shots. On paper, they should have cruised. Kingsley Coman was lively early on, and Joao Felix—who has been a revelation since joining from Chelsea—was pulling strings in that pockets of space. But soccer isn't played on paper. It's played in the moments where you blink and lose your focus.
The first big "uh-oh" moment came in the 51st minute. Nawaf Al Aqidi, usually so reliable, had a total brain fade. He raced out toward the touchline and tried a casual clearance that smacked right into Julián Quiñones. The Mexican forward didn't even say thank you; he just chased the rebound and rolled it into an empty net. You could feel the air leave the stadium.
About fifteen minutes later, it got worse. Al Qadsia’s Mateo Retegui—a monster of a signing from Atalanta—unleashed a strike that Al Aqidi parried, but only as far as Nahitan Nández. The Uruguayan didn't miss. 2-0. Just like that, the "Knights of Najd" were staring down the barrel of a second straight defeat.
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The Ronaldo Factor and Goal No. 958
We have to talk about the man himself. Cristiano Ronaldo is 40 now, but the hunger is clearly still there. He spent most of the night fighting a losing battle against Nacho. It was a fascinating "Real Madrid legends" reunion, but Nacho knew exactly how to shadow his old captain.
Ronaldo did eventually get his moment. In the 81st minute, a handball by Jehad Thakri gave Al Nassr a lifeline. Ronaldo stepped up, buried the penalty, and reached 958 career goals. That's 14 for the season and the first of 2026 for him. But even with 11 minutes of stoppage time, Al Nassr couldn't find the equalizer.
The stats tell a weird story:
Al Nassr had an xG (Expected Goals) of 2.27.
Al Qadsia had an xG of only 1.76.
Basically, Al Nassr created better chances but couldn't finish their dinner, while Al Qadsia was clinical.
Why the Brendan Rodgers Era is Different
People sort of overlooked the managerial shift at Al Qadsia. Bringing in Brendan Rodgers in December 2025 felt like a gamble, but he’s tightened them up significantly. They’ve now beaten Al Nassr in four straight league meetings. That’s not a fluke.
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Rodgers has them playing a very specific brand of counter-attacking football. While Julian Weigl sits deep and breaks up play, Christopher Bonsu Baah and Quiñones provide the pace that exposes Al Nassr’s high defensive line. It’s effective. It’s also incredibly annoying if you’re an Al Nassr fan watching your team pass the ball sideways for 20 minutes.
The Table Doesn't Lie
This result has massive implications. Al Hilal, managed by Simone Inzaghi, is currently pulling away at the top.
- Al Hilal: 38 points (Unbeaten)
- Al Nassr: 31 points (3 losses)
- Al Taawoun: 31 points
- Al Ahli: 31 points
- Al Qadsia: 30 points
Al Nassr is now four points behind the leaders and, more worryingly, they are part of a massive logjam for second place. If they don't fix the defensive lapses—specifically the communication between the keepers and the back four—they might not even finish in the top three.
The Road Ahead for the Knights
There’s no time to sulk. The schedule is brutal. Next up is a massive showdown against Al Hilal. If they lose that, the title race is effectively over by January.
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Jorge Jesus has a lot of soul-searching to do. Does he stick with Al Aqidi? Does he start Ghareeb or Wesley to give more width? The talent is there with Inigo Martinez and Marcelo Brozovic, but the chemistry feels slightly off right now.
To get back on track, Al Nassr needs to:
- Simplify the buildup play to avoid unforced errors in their own half.
- Provide better service to Ronaldo in the box rather than relying on him to create his own chances.
- Tighten the gap between the midfield and the defense during transitions.
If you're looking to follow the progress, keep a close eye on the injury report for Al Qadsia’s Koen Casteels, who went off injured in this match. His absence could change their defensive dynamic in the coming weeks. For Al Nassr, the focus is purely on the "Capital Derby" and whether they can finally stop the bleeding.
The race for the Saudi Pro League is heating up, and Al Qadsia has just proven they aren't just here to participate—they're here to disrupt the hierarchy.