Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Jhon Duran continued his sensational start with Al Nassr, scoring twice to lead his 10-man team to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Al Ahli in a highly charged Roshn Saudi League Matchweek 20 encounter at the newly renamed Alinma Stadium on Thursday night.

Despite being a man down for the entire second half, Al Nassr fought relentlessly to secure a fifth consecutive league win, moving to within three points of second-placed Al Hilal. The loss leaves Al Ahli in fifth place, six points adrift of Al Nassr.

Al Ahli thought they had taken the lead inside six minutes when Riyad Mahrez broke through to score, but the goal was ruled offside.

At the other end, Duran struck first in the 30th minute, collecting a short pass from substitute Ayman Yahya, turning, and firing into the bottom corner for his third goal in two RSL matches.

The first-half stoppage time brought chaos in Al Nassr’s penalty area. Gabri Veiga’s low cross took a deflection before Ali Majrashi tapped it over the line, but after VAR review, the goal was overturned for a foul by Ivan Toney.

At the same time, Al Nassr’s Mohamed Simakan was sent off with a straight red card for an elbow on Toney, leaving the visitors with 10 men for the remainder of the match.

Al Ahli finally equalized in the 78th minute, as Veiga delivered a pinpoint cross to Toney, who rose above the defense to score his 10th league goal of the season.

However, Al Nassr’s response was immediate. A minute later, substitute Ali Al Hassan found space down the right and delivered a cross to Yahya, whose first shot was saved by Edouard Mendy, but he reacted quickly to fire home the rebound and restore Al Nassr’s lead.

The defining moment came in the 86th minute, when Marcelo Brozovic played a ball to Duran near the halfway line.

The 21-year-old Colombian embarked on a stunning 40-yard solo run, weaving past two defenders before coolly finishing at the near post, sealing a memorable brace and his fourth goal in two games.

Al Ahli fought back in stoppage time, with Sumayhan Al Nabit pouncing on a rebound in the 97th minute to make it 3-2, but Al Nassr held on to secure a vital victory.

With this result, Stefano Pioli’s men tighten their grip on third place, moving six points ahead of Al Ahli while keeping the pressure on Al Hilal, who play Al Riyadh on Friday evening.