Al-Ahli SFC's hopes for a strong finish to the Saudi Professional League season were dented by a 1-3 home defeat to Al Ettifaq FC on May 23rd, 2025. In a match where Al Ettifaq's attacking efficiency proved decisive, the visitors secured a valuable three points on the road against one of the league's traditional powers. Al Ettifaq stunned the home crowd by taking an early lead, capitalizing on a defensive mistake to go ahead inside the first 20 minutes. Al-Ahli responded before halftime, scoring a well-worked team goal to level the match and restore belief. However, the second half belonged entirely to the visitors, who regained the lead through a spectacular long-range strike and then put the game to bed with a third goal on a swift counter-attack in the final ten minutes. Al-Ahli's defense looked vulnerable throughout, and despite having more possession, they were punished for their errors. This result significantly impacts the race for continental qualification, boosting Al Ettifaq's ambitions while dealing a blow to Al-Ahli's. The Al Ettifaq manager hailed his team's clinical finishing, while the Al-Ahli coach lamented his side's defensive lapses at critical moments.