Cristiano Ronaldo misses and Toney shines: Al-Ahli beats Al-Nassr 3-2; see how it went.

The Englishman scores two goals, provides an assist, and is named man of the match in the important victory.

The international football calendar gives no respite, and one of the fastest growing leagues in the world opened the year with a great spectacle for the fans. In the clash between two of the main teams in Saudi Arabia, Al-Ahli beat Al-Nassr 3-2, this Friday (2), for the 13th round of the Saudi Pro League , at Alinma Stadium, in Jeddah (SAU).

For those who tuned in to the television hoping for another goal in the countdown to Cristiano Ronaldo ‘s thousandth, the outcome was frustrating. The number 7 played the full 90 minutes, had four shots on goal — including a great chance he missed — but couldn’t find the back of the net.

Nevertheless, he saw his team defeated in a direct confrontation, although they remain in first place in the championship after 12 matches played. They have 31 points, with 10 wins, one draw and now one defeat, in addition to 37 goals scored and only 10 conceded, the best attack and the best defense in the competition for the team led by Jorge Jesus . Meanwhile, the team managed by Matthias Jaissle remains in pursuit of the leader, in fourth place: 25 points accumulated from seven wins, four draws and one defeat, in addition to 18 goals scored and 10 conceded.

The scoring was opened by Ivan Toney — the same player who gained international prominence at Brentford and was involved in off-field controversies — who easily finished with his right foot after receiving a pass from Brazilian Galeno on the left wing, seven minutes into the first half. 1-0 to Al-Ahli.

The Englishman reappeared in the 13th minute when he received a through ball with his left foot from captain Ali Majrashi , which crossed the entire field. Toney controlled it with his chest, dribbled once and finished with his right foot into the opposite corner, with power and precision, giving goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi no chance of making a save . 2-0 to Al-Ahli.

Still in the first half, however, the game took a new turn, at the 31st minute. Defender Abdulelah Al-Amri took a long-range shot with his right foot and was rewarded. The shot went straight at the goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al Sanbi , who tried to catch the ball but let it slip through his legs. A howler. The goal put the opponent back in the game: 2-1.

Then, the tie was confirmed in the 44th minute, from a corner kick on the right side. Sultan Al-Ghannam took a curving corner, and the ball found the head of Al-Amri — having a goal-scoring defender afternoon — who rose between the defenders and finished into the right corner of the goal. 2-2 . Toney even managed to put the ball in the net five minutes later, in another counter-attack, but the play was ruled offside.

In the second half, at the 10-minute mark, Al-Ahli regained the lead, again thanks to a decisive contribution from their center forward. The number 17 received a cross in the box and, without an angle to shoot, opted to flick the ball back, finding defender Merih Demiral , who headed it in. The goal put Al-Ahli back in front: 3-2 , in a game where the home team never trailed.