Jhon Duran scored twice for 10-man Al-Nassr in a 3-2 victory over Al-Ahli to take them to third in the Saudi Pro League.
The big-money January signing from Aston Villa scored another two goals after bagging a brace last week to earn the victory despite Mohammed Simakan’s red card only two minutes into the second half.
After Duran opened the scoring from outside the box in the first half, former Brentford striker Ivan Toney had briefly equalised for the hosts in the 78th minute, before Ayman Yayha restored Al-Nassr’s lead two minutes later, then Duran made it three to ensure the victory in the 88th minute with a superb solo effort.
Sumayhan Al-Nabit brought Al-Ahli within a goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time but Al-Nassr held on to take the points.
Duran steals the show for Al-Nassr
In a big game between fourth and fifth in the Pro League before kick-off, Duran brilliantly opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, picking up the ball on the edge of the box, turning and firing into the bottom corner.
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— داريو- قول📺 (@mydy1286628) February 13, 2025
Al-Ahli thought they had equalised early in the second half before it was ruled out for VAR but in the aftermath, Simakan was spotted forcing his elbow into Toney and was shown his marching orders to present an uphill task for the visitors despite retaining their lead.
After holding out for much of the second half, their resistance was finally broken when Toney headed in Gabri Veiga’s cross from the left to bring the game level.
— Live stream: @CenterOfGoals follow (@BettyannM92257) February 13, 2025
But the hosts were not celebrating for long as Yayha popped up to make 2-1 in the 80th minute.
And as the 10-man hosts continued to cling on, 21-year-old Duran produced a moment of brilliance to justify his big price tag.
Picking up the ball on the halfway line on the right-hand side, the Colombian skipped past one player, then another, before driving into the box and slotting the ball in.
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— داريو- قول📺 (@mydy1286628) February 13, 2025
Sumayhan redcued the deficit with seconds to play in stoppage time but Al-Nassr got the victory which keeps them within three points of Al-Hilal in second.
