MW32 Talking Points: Title twist, top-scorer Toney, relegation duel | OneFootball

Where do you even begin trying to unpack the craziness of Matchweek 32?

Across the three remaining battles for the title, AFC Champions League places and relegation, there was drama, drama and more drama that has thrown everything into the air with two full rounds remaining (or one match in the case of table-toppers Al Nassr).

Here are the talking points from a wild three days of Roshn Saudi League action.

Heartbreak but hope for Al Nassr

It’s ironic after Bento dropped a seemingly straightforward catch in the dying seconds of the most anticipated Capital Derby of recent memory, but the title is still very much in Al Nassr’s hands.

Had the ball stuck in Bento’s grip, the RSL trophy would already be theirs but, after the league leaders overcome the shock and disappointment of letting slip that golden opportunity, focus will turn to the final game, on home soil against Damac. Win that and Al Nassr are champions.

And, with nine wins from their past nine games against Damac, Jorge Jesus’ men will fancy their chances against the team scrapping to avoid relegation. But in a derby filled with iconic moments across its 68-year history, Bento’s drop will be added to the pantheon of moments that define the rivalry.

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Double delight for Jeddah giants…

The two giants of Jeddah - Al Ahli and Al Ittihad - are in their own respective fights for continental action, with Al Ahli looking to firm up a top-three spot to guarantee direct entry into the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite league stage.

Al Ittihad, meanwhile, are aiming for fifth to earn themselves a place in next season’s ACL Elite preliminary rounds.

So Al Ahli’s narrow 2-1 victory at Al Taawoun was a boost for the ambitions of both clubs. Thanks in tandem to a 2-1 win at home to Damac, Al Ittihad jumped the Buraidah outfit into fifth, and still have a game in hand. Fellow Jeddah club Al Ahli cemented third, now with a four-point lead over Al Qadsiah.

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…but don’t discount Al Ettifaq

The other team in the mix for that top-five finish are Al Ettifaq, who boosted their chances with a thumping 5-0 win at Al Khaleej.

And who should the Dammam club play next? None other than Al Ittihad themselves - at home, where they have lost only three of 16 RSL matches this season.

Victory for Saad Al Shehri’s side would draw them level on 52 points with Al Ittihad, and recent history suggests they have a great chance.

In their five meetings since the start of the 2023-24 season, the two clubs have split the difference with two wins apiece and one draw.

Top man Toney eyes RSL history

Cristiano Ronaldo’s stranglehold on the golden boot looks set to end this season, with Ivan Toney breaking through the magical 30-goal barrier (his goal at Al Taawoun represented his 31st in the 2025-26 RSL).

It edged the Al Ahli marksman further clear of Julian Quinones (29) in the race for the individual honour, with two-time winner Ronaldo third, on 26 goals.

With the RSL trophy off the table for Al Ahli, there is still a slice of history on the line for their star striker, though. Admittedly, Toney would need to finish with a flurry against Al Kholood and Al Khaleej, but the single-season record of 35, set by Ronaldo in the 2023-24 season, is within reach.

The Englishman scored against both clubs in their earlier clashes this campaign: the only goal in a 1-0 win against Al Kholood and a hat-trick in a 4-1 success at home to Al Khaleej. So, don’t rule out that single-season record.

Al Riyadh have survival chance

The 16th-placed capital club breathed fresh life into their bid for survival with a 1-0 win at home to Al Fateh - their third victory in their past seven games.

For a team that won only three of their previous 25 RSL games, it’s given Al Riyadh hope of completing the great escape. With two rounds to run, they pulled level on points with Damac. Remember, Al Najmah and Al Okhdood are already down.

For sure, Damac are about to become one of the most talked about clubs in international football, with their final fixture against Al Nassr taking on major significance.

But their status in the RSL has become a little more precarious after Al Riyadh’s recent resolve. This Friday, Damac host Al Fayha, in 10th, while Al Riyadh have a testing trip to AFC Champions League Elite hopefuls Al Taawoun.