Al-Nassr vs Al-Ahli Feb 13 Shines Thrilling Saudi Pro League

The Saudi Pro League continues to have exciting games. Al-Nassr vs Al-Ahli On February 13, 2025, fans attended a show when Al-Nassr fought at Jeddah’s famous King Abdullah Sports City. Al Nassr tried to catch up to league leaders Al Ittihad with the help of famous player Cristiano Ronaldo and new player John Durán. Great Coached by Ivan Toney, Al Ahli sought to stay in the top five and qualify for the AFC Champions League.
Al-Nassr vs Al-Ahli on Feb 13, 2025, was a Saudi Pro League match.
Pre-Match Context
The Stakes
The Saudi Pro League has been very intense, and the race for the title gets hotter as the season goes on.
- Before the game, Al-Nassr vs Al-Ahli was eager to keep the pressure on the league leaders. If they win, they’ll be close to Al Ittihad, keeping their title hopes alive.
- The desire to win to stay in the top five and qualify for the AFC Champions League spurred Al Ahli.
Venue and Attendance
- Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah
- Attendance: Approximately 30,000 passionate fans
Fans from both teams made the environment electric by chanting and waving banners to support their teams.
Team Lineups and Formations
Al Nassr (4-2-3-1 Formation)
- Goalkeeper: David Ospina
- Defenders: Mohammed Simakan, Abdullah Madu, Ali Lajami, Yasser Al-Shahrani
- Midfielders: Otávio, Luiz Gustavo
- Forwards: Ayman Yahya, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jhon Durán (Striker)
Al Ahli (4-3-3 Formation)
- Goalkeeper: Mohammed Al-Owais
- Defenders: Sumaihan Al-Nabit, Mohamed Marzouk, Hegazy
- Midfielders: Rayan Hamdi, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Saad Al-Ghamdi
- Forwards: Ivan Toney, Feras Al-Buraikan, Omar Al-Somah
Both teams had good starting lineups, and key players were expected to impact the game.
Match Progression
First Half: Tactical Battle and Durán’s Stunning Opener
During the first 45 minutes, both teams battled tactics and tested each other’s defenses.
- Al-Nassr vs Al-Ahli had the ball early on, and Ronaldo was in charge, making good passes to Otávio and Ayman Yahya.
- Al Ahli stood firm, and their midfield trio worked hard to break up Al Nassr’s passing rhythm.
Finally, the tie in the 32nd minute when Jhon Durán made a spectacular entrance. That Colombian forward fired a strong long-range shot that went straight into the top corner, leaving Al-Owais with no chance.
Second Half:
The second half started very well, and Al Nassr lost right away.
- 48th Minute: Mohammed Simakan got a red card for a careless tackle on Ivan Toney, which meant that Al Nassr only had ten players left.
- Since: Al-Ahli had more players, they attacked more, causing Al Nassr to take a defensive position.
Key Moments
- 78th Minute: Al Ahli tied the game with a header from a corner kick by Rayan Hamdi that was perfectly put.
- 80th Minute: Al Nassr reacted immediately, and Ayman Yahya gave them the lead back with a precise finish after a quick counterattack.
- 88th Minute: The game ended when Jhon Durán scored his second goal. He dribbled the ball past two players and then put it in the net.
- 90+8th Minute: Sumaihan Al-Nabit scored a late consolation goal for Al Ahli after a scramble in front of the goal.
Tactical Analysis
Al Nassr’s Resilience
Even though he was down to ten men, Al Nassr showed excellent military flexibility.
- Changed into a tight defensive block to take the heat from Al Ahli.
- Quickly counterattacked, taking advantage of Ronaldo and Yahya’s speed.
Al Ahli’s Missed Opportunity
- Controlled the ball after Simakan was sent off.
- It was hard to break down Al Nassr’s low block, which showed how much they relied on set pieces.
- Defensive mistakes cost them vital points.
Player Performances:
Jhon Durán (Al Nassr)
- Goals: 2
- Impact: His movements made room, and the way he finished was very professional.
- Verdict: Al Nassr is getting a lot of use out of this rising star.
Ivan Toney (Al Ahli)
- Goal: 1
- Impact: Strong force in the air and a threat that is always in the box.
- Verdict: It needs more help from the middle to work at its best.
Referee Decisions:
Referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim sent off Simakan. Even though the ruling was controversial, VAR upheld it, saying that the challenger used too much force. Al Nassr fans the decision, but it didn’t stop their team’s progress in the end.
Post-Match Reactions
Rudi Garcia (Al Nassr Coach)
We kept going even when things got tough. Durán was great, and the team did a great job dealing with problems.
Khalid Abdulaziz (Al Ahli Coach)
We had chances, but mistakes on defense cost us. We need to get better at dealing with stress.
League Standings After Matchday
- 49 points – Al Ittihad
- 47 points – Al Hilal
- 44 points – Al Nassr
- 38 points – Al Hilal
After their win, Al Nassr is still in the running for the title. Al Ahli needs to get back on track if they want to finish in the top four.
Summary
The Saudi Pro League is very exciting, as this game between Al-Nassr vs Al-Ahli was displayed on Feb 13, 2025. For football fans, I wanted amazing goals, a red card, and nonstop excitement. Ronaldo’s leadership, Jhon Durán’s brilliance, and Al Nassr’s toughness enabled them to win and keep seeking the crown.
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