The Riyadh derby brought together first against second at a critical moment of the season. Al Hilal arrived confident, leaders, playing at home and on an impressive run of results: discreet in discourse, but lethal in consistency. Al Nassr, on the other hand, came under pressure, wounded by poor recent results and with the clear obligation to win in order not to let their rival pull away.
From early on it was clear that Al Nassr were not there just to survive. The team had more of the ball in the first half, Cristiano Ronaldo dropped deep several times to help with the build up and Coman was the main agitator in one against one situations. Al Hilal, surprisingly, created little before the break and showed some difficulty connecting their attacking play, despite their obvious individual quality.
The goal in the 42nd minute came from the best collective move of the first half: a pass from Félix, acceleration from Coman and a finish from Cristiano. By halftime, the numbers confirmed the visual feeling: more possession, higher xG and greater emotional control from the visitors.
The second half completely changed the course of the match. Simakan, returning from injury and clearly lacking rhythm, is caught out of position and commits an unnecessary penalty. The penalty converted by Salem Al Dawsari brings balance back to the game, but the real breaking point comes seconds later with the sending off of Nawaf. An unforgivable mistake, needless violence, as Nawaf punches Rúben Neves in a derby, at a critical moment, forcing Al Nassr to throw on a 20 year old goalkeeper with no professional experience.
From that moment on, Al Nassr drop into a very low block, at times defending with five or six players on the last line, and completely give up any attempt to compete offensively. Al Hilal understand this, do not force the issue, do not panic, and begin to control the tempo with maturity.
Kanno’s goal comes as the natural consequence of that sustained pressure and kills any remaining hope of getting a result. In stoppage time, another defensive error leads to a new penalty and Rúben Neves seals the scoreline.
Post-match
The Saudi classic ends with a heavy and decisive 3 1 defeat for Al Nassr. Not only because of the result itself, but because of the context: a direct confrontation, the chance to reopen the title race and instead a gap that grows to seven points and starts to feel very much like a sentence.
Al Nassr actually produced a better first half, more organized, more intense and with clear ideas. They were rewarded with Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal, another one, number 959, in a derby where he once again showed up when the team needed him most. But everything that was built before halftime was destroyed in 15 minutes of madness in the second half.
Al Hilal did what great teams do. They did not panic, did not accelerate without reason and killed the game. Kanno took advantage of the defensive chaos, Rúben Neves closed the coffin from the penalty spot and the leaders come out even stronger.
The Saudi Pro League is not mathematically over, but emotionally and competitively it may have ended today for Al Nassr.