Al-Nassr claimed victory in the Saudi Pro League Clasico, edging past hosts Al-Ahli 3-2 in a thrilling 20th-round encounter.<\/p>
The match witnessed everything\u2014disallowed goals, cards, and late drama. The standout performer was Al-Nassr\u2019s new Colombian striker Jhon Dur\u00e1n, who bagged a brace to guide his team to a fifth consecutive league win, despite playing with ten men since the start of the second half after French defender Mohamed Simakan was sent off.<\/p>
This marked Al-Nassr\u2019s 13th win of the season, lifting Stefano Pioli\u2019s side to 44 points, trailing leaders Al-Ittihad by five points and sitting two points behind defending champions Al-Hilal, who are set to face Al-Wehda on Saturday and Al-Riyadh on Friday.<\/p>
Meanwhile, Al-Ahli\u2019s four-match winning streak came to an end with their sixth defeat of the season, keeping them fifth in the standings with 38 points.<\/p>
\"El Clasico\" Highlights<\/p>
Al-Nassr suffered an early setback when Portuguese midfielder Ot\u00e1vio Monteiro was injured, forcing Pioli to make an early substitution, bringing in Ayman Yahya in the 16th minute. The substitute made an instant impact, playing a crucial role in the opening goal, embarking on a solo run before setting up Dur\u00e1n, who struck from outside the box past Senegalese goalkeeper \u00c9douard Mendy (32\u2019).<\/p>
The match intensified in the latter stages as English striker Ivan Toney equalized for Al-Ahli, heading in a cross from Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga (78\u2019).<\/p>
Al-Nassr wasted no time restoring their lead, responding less than two minutes later. Ali Al-Hassan whipped in a cross, met by Ayman Yahya, whose initial shot was saved by Mendy before he slotted home the rebound (80\u2019).<\/p>
The drama continued when Dur\u00e1n struck again in the 88th minute, finishing off a rapid counterattack led by Croatian Marcelo Brozovi\u0107. The Colombian now has four goals in three matches since joining the club.<\/p>
Al-Ahli managed to pull one back in stoppage time after Al-Nassr\u2019s defense failed to clear their lines. Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessi\u00e9 saw his shot parried by goalkeeper Bento, only for Sameehan Al-Nabit to pounce on the rebound and tap it home (90+7\u2019).<\/p>
In another five-goal thriller, Al-Qadsiah defeated hosts Al-Shabab 3-2, with Mexican forward Juli\u00e1n Qui\u00f1ones starring with a brace (49\u2019, 90+6\u2019) to take his season tally to 13 goals, while Ali Hazazi added another (83\u2019). Al-Shabab responded through Argentine Cristian Guanca (16\u2019) and Haroune Camara (68\u2019), but couldn\u2019t capitalize on their numerical advantage after Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was sent off (79\u2019).<\/p>
Al-Qadsiah now sits on 42 points, level with Al-Nassr but behind on goal difference, while Al-Shabab remains sixth with 32 points.<\/p>
Meanwhile, Al-Okhdood and Damac played out a goalless draw, with Damac reduced to ten men early after Mishari Al-Nimr\u2019s red card in the 12th minute. Damac now sits 11th with 24 points, while Al-Okhdood remains 14th with 16 points.<\/p>
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