Final day drama in Roshn Saudi League as top teams battle for continental spots

Al-Fateh will host Al-Nassr at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium in Al-Ahsa. (X/@EnFatehclub)
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Updated 26 May 2025
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Final day drama in Roshn Saudi League as top teams battle for continental spots

  • Al-Fateh enter the match with Al-Nassr without pressure and are aiming to end their season on a high note
  • Al-Hilal will host Al-Qadsiah at Kingdom Arena, needing just three points to secure second place

RIYADH: On the final day of the Roshn Saudi Pro League, all Matchweek 34 fixtures will kick off at 9:00pm, with several big encounters shaping the race for continental qualification and league standings.

Al-Fateh v Al-Nassr: A clash of motivation and ambition in Al-Ahsa

Al-Fateh will host Al-Nassr at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium in Al-Ahsa. Having secured their places in the safe zone, Al-Fateh enter the match without pressure and are aiming to end their season on a high note, seeking a revenge for their loss in the first leg.

Al-Nassr, currently third with 70 points, are targeting a win to leap into second place — a position that would secure a spot in the AFC Elite Champions League, provided rivals Al-Hilal slip against Al-Qadsiah. The team boasts a star-studded lineup including Cristiano Ronaldo, French defender Mohamed Simakan, Portuguese midfielder Otavio, Senegalese winger Sadio Mane, Ayman Yahya, and Sultan Al-Ghannam.

Al-Fateh counters with talent of its own, led by Moroccan duo Mourad Batna and Marwane Saadane, alongside Algerian midfielder Sofiane Bendebka.

In their professional league history, the two sides have met 27 times: Al-Nassr won 16, Al-Fateh won 3, with 8 matches ending in draws. Al-Nassr will look to extend their dominance in this fixture.

Al-Hilal v Al-Qadsiah: Blue wave aims to lock second spot

In Riyadh, Al-Hilal will host Al-Qadsiah at Kingdom Arena, needing just three points to secure second place and a berth in next season’s AFC Elite Champions League.

Al-Hilal will be without Brazilian forwards Malcom, who recently underwent foot surgery, and Marcos Leonardo, sidelined due to a groin injury. Meanwhile, Al-Qadsiah are at full strength and looking to replicate their first-leg victory over Al Hilal. They’re currently fourth with 68 points, just four behind Al-Naser, and are also preparing for the King’s Cup final against Al-Ittihad on May 30 in Jeddah.

Al-Hilal have accumulated 72 points from 22 wins, 6 draws, and 5 losses, while Al-Qadsiah have 21 wins, 5 draws, and 7 losses.

Al-Ittihad v Damac: Champions eye a grand finale

Champions Al-Ittihad will cap off their title-winning season at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah as they face Damac in front of a huge home crowd.

Already crowned league champions, Al-Ittihad are looking to finish in style with a victory that would take their final tally to 83 points. French manager Laurent Blanc also sees the match as vital preparation for the upcoming King’s Cup final against Al-Qadsiah.

Damac, currently 14th with 35 points, are hoping for a positive result to end their season on a stronger note, especially after a 1–0 defeat to Al-Fateh in Matchweek 33.

With league standings, continental spots, and momentum heading into the King’s Cup final all on the line, the closing night of the Roshn Saudi League promises thrilling action across the board.


Barca suffer title defense blow in Girona derby defeat

Updated 17 February 2026
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Barca suffer title defense blow in Girona derby defeat

  • Girona ended the game with 10 men when Roca scythed down Yamal to cut short a desperate Barca attack deep in stoppage time

GIRONA, Spain: Spanish champions Barcelona fell to a damaging 2-1 defeat at Girona on Monday to leave them trailing Real Madrid by two points at the top of La Liga.
Los Blancos beat Real Sociedad on Saturday to overtake the Catalans and Hansi Flick’s side could not defeat Girona in an gripping derby clash to reclaim the lead.
Teenage star Lamine Yamal missed a penalty for Barcelona, who took the lead through defender Pau Cubarsi just before the hour mark.
However goals from Thomas Lemar and Fran Beltran helped Girona, 12th, mount an impressive comeback.
“We have to improve because they can’t score these two goals against us,” Cubarsi told DAZN.
“We have to be self-critical, we didn’t play a great game, we have to improve, but now we have to rest and charge our batteries.”
Both sides were attacking with abandon in the first half and it was remarkable they went in goalless at the break.
Raphinha whipped a shot narrowly wide and Yamal fired straight at Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga when through on goal.
At the other end Ukrainian striker Vladyslav Vanat missed a slew of presentable opportunities.
Ferran Torres fired a good chance wide for Barca and Raphinha drove against the upright as Flick’s side pushed for the opener.
They should have got it when Dani Olmo was clumsily felled in the box by Daley Blind, but Yamal hit the post from the spot.
Barcelona eventually took the lead through Pau Cubarsi’s header from Jules Kounde’s cross after 59 minutes, but Girona swiftly pulled level.
Thomas Lemar slipped away from Eric Garcia and turned home Vanat’s pass from close range.
It shifted the momentum in Girona’s favor and Barca were left relying on some stunning saves from goalkeeper Joan Garcia to keep them afloat.
The stopper denied Ivan Martin and Vanat with a remarkable double save, and then thwarted Joel Roca with his leg.
Barca could not stem the tide and Girona forced their way in front after 87 minutes, with Fran Beltran stroking home from the edge of the area.
The visitors, who last week made an official complaint to the Spanish football federation over perceived refereeing inconsistencies, were left fuming after Kounde was fouled by Claudio Echeverri in the build-up and it went unpunished.
Girona ended the game with 10 men when Roca scythed down Yamal to cut short a desperate Barca attack deep in stoppage time.
It did the job and the hosts celebrated wildly at the end with their jubilant fans at Montilivi, as Flick demanded explanations from the referee.
“It seemed like a foul (on Kounde) to me, but we shouldn’t focus on decisions we can’t control,” said Barca defender Gerard Martin.