Al-Nassr’s hopes of winning the Saudi Pro League title suffered a significant blow as they fell to a 2-1 defeat away at Al-Qadsiah on Friday, thanks to a late winner from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The loss leaves Cristiano Ronaldo’s side eight points adrift of leaders Al-Ittihad with just six games remaining.
In a hard-fought encounter between two teams chasing Asian Champions League qualification, Al-Qadsiah took the lead ten minutes before halftime. Aubameyang broke free, and though his initial shot was blocked, Turki Al-Ammar was on hand to convert the rebound from close range.
Al-Nassr pushed hard for an equalizer, and Sadio Mane appeared to have rescued a point in the 84th minute. The Senegal forward expertly controlled a long pass from Otávio before firing past the goalkeeper.
However, parity lasted only three minutes. Nahitan Nandez delivered a cross into the box, and former Arsenal striker Aubameyang rose to head home the winner for Al-Qadsiah in the 87th minute.
The result keeps Al-Nassr third on 57 points, behind Al-Ittihad (65) and Al-Hilal (61). Al-Qadsiah move up to 55 points, level with fourth-placed Al-Ahli, boosting their hopes of securing a continental spot for next season.
Al-Ahli Thrash Al-Fayha 5-0
Elsewhere on Friday, Al-Ahli maintained their push for a top-four finish with a dominant 5-0 home victory over Al-Fayha.
Brazilian defender Roger Ibañez set the tone with two goals in the first half (17th and 37th minutes), both assisted by Riyad Mahrez. England striker Ivan Toney added a third just before the break (45’+3′), also set up by Mahrez.
Toney scored his second from the penalty spot midway through the second half (68th minute), before Mahrez completed the rout himself in the 82nd minute, assisted by substitute Firas Al-Buraikan.
“It was important to get the win but there is a long way to go until the end of this season,” said Al-Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle. “Let’s see what happens.”
The comfortable win keeps Al-Ahli fourth on 55 points, level with fifth-placed Al-Qadsiah in the tight race for Asian Champions League Elite qualification spots.
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