Al Ahli’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Al Nassr at the King Abdullah Sports City sent shockwaves through the Saudi Pro League and ignited wild reactions online. The result ended Al Nassr’s 11-game unbeaten league run, marking their first defeat of the 2025-26 season.
Inspired by Ivan Toney’s first-half brace and assist for Merih Demiral, Al Ahli capitalised on key moments despite seeing far less of the ball, a storyline fully captured by SoftFootball.
The upset felt even bigger considering Al Nassr came into the derby aiming to maintain their perfect domestic run after targeting another unbeaten performance against Al Ahli.
They dominated possession with nearly 70 percent and fired 20 shots, yet Al Ahli’s clinical edge proved decisive. Toney struck twice inside 20 minutes before Al Nassr clawed back through Abdulelah Al Amri’s unlikely brace, only for Demiral’s header to settle the contest after the break.
As the final whistle blew following chaotic stoppage time that saw two red cards, fans quickly took to X to vent emotions and celebrate heroes. One user, Yana, aimed to highlight individual brilliance rather than team tactics when praising Al Ahli’s striker.
He wrote in full:
What an incredible performance by Ivan Toney, absolutely brilliant!
Her comment reflected the widespread admiration for the English forward’s all-action display.
Another fan, ÍMØÑ, intended to spark debate by shifting the spotlight away from Cristiano Ronaldo, suggesting Toney overshadowed everyone else on the pitch.
He posted bluntly:
Bro carried Al-Ahli all by himself… Ronaldo who?
The comment summed up how quiet Ronaldo’s night felt despite Al Nassr’s territorial dominance.
Some reactions were harsher. Kelvin Paul Inogie, clearly critical of Ronaldo’s influence, sought to mock the Portuguese star’s reputation.
He stated:
So the so called 1000 goals merchant could not even score today.
Meanwhile, Monarch focused on the bigger picture, expressing frustration about silverware prospects.
He wrote:
Yeah I think Ronaldo is going trophyless again this season.
Attention also turned to Al Nassr’s defence. Best aimed his frustration at the back line, warning supporters of another collapse.
He wrote:
AlNassr with their useless defenders, I think you guys are going to bottle the league again.
With Al Hilal lurking, the title race suddenly feels wide open, and fan emotions show just how seismic this derby defeat could become.
