RIYADH: Al-Nassr’s perfect start to the Saudi Pro League season came to an end on Tuesday night as a late Georginio Wijnaldum goal earned Al-Ettifaq a thrilling 2-2 draw at a packed EGO Stadium in Dammam.
Saad Al-Shehri’s side became the first team to take points off Jorge Jesus’ league leaders, halting Al-Nassr’s 11-game winning run in a match that swung repeatedly from the opening minutes.
The contest began with early controversy when Al-Nassr left-back Saad Al-Nasser was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Madallah Al-Olayan just six minutes in. Following a VAR review, the decision was overturned and reduced to a yellow card.
Al-Ettifaq seized the initiative and went close through Moussa Dembele before taking the lead in the 16th minute. Georginio Wijnaldum found space on the edge of the area and curled a precise finish into the far corner, rewarding the hosts’ early pressure.
Goalkeeper Marek Rodak then produced a string of outstanding saves to preserve the lead, denying Al-Nassr on several occasions before the break, while Sultan Al-Ghannam struck the crossbar from distance to the frustration of the visiting supporters.
Al-Nassr emerged with greater intent after half-time and levelled just two minutes in, Joao Felix firing low into the corner after a neat midfield move involving Angelo. The visitors pressed on and took the lead in the 67th minute when Felix’s effort deflected off Cristiano Ronaldo and into the net, taking both players to 13 league goals for the season.
Despite dominating possession and registering 26 shots, Al-Nassr were unable to kill the game off. Al-Ettifaq capitalized in the 80th minute when a long ball released substitute Radhi Al-Otaibi, who squared for Wijnaldum to tap home his second of the night. It continued his strong record against Al-Nassr after scoring twice in last season’s 3-2 away win.
Al-Nassr pushed hard for a late winner, but Rodak delivered a match-winning display. He denied Angelo in the 88th minute, pushed away a Ronaldo header in stoppage time and then produced a fingertip save to keep out Kingsley Coman deep into added time.
The draw leaves Al-Nassr top of the table with 31 points from 11 matches, while Al-Ettifaq remain eighth on 16 points.
Elsewhere, Wenderson Galeno provided two assists as Ivan Toney and Roger Ibanez scored in Al-Ahli’s 2-0 win over Al-Fayha. Ibanez was later sent off and will miss Al-Ahli’s opening fixture of the new year against Al-Nassr. The victory keeps Al-Ahli fourth on 22 points, four clear of Al-Qadsiah, who have a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Valentin Vada’s sixth goal of the season, a long-range strike, secured Damac’s first win of the campaign in a 1-0 victory over Al-Okhdood. Damac climb to 14th with nine points, while Al-Okhdood remain in the relegation zone on five.
