Nacho's 'incredible comeback' has title-chasers Al Qadsiah dreaming big | OneFootball

Nacho described it as “incredible”, and that it was.

Two-one down at home to Al Ahli as the match ticked into injury-time, Al Qadsiah pulled a proverbial rabbit out of the hat, Turki Al Ammar half-volleying an equaliser in the 92nd minute before Ibrahim Mahnashi won it in the most dramatic of circumstances.

From watching their chances slipping of a first Roshn Saudi League title, and a significant upper hand given to their opponents and championship rivals, Al Qadsiah are right back in it.

It may have taken 98-plus minutes, but the scenes that greeted Mahnashi’s winner and the celebrations post-match suggested Brendan Rodgers’ side knew exactly what this meant.

“It was a beautiful match,” an ecstatic Nacho declared afterwards. “The first half was theirs; the second half was ours, but it was an incredible comeback.

“I do everything I can for my club, now that I'm in Al Qadsiah. I'm very happy to be here and, well, living great nights like this.”

Great night, indeed. Sitting fourth in the table, Al Qadsiah went 2-0 down before-half-time in Dammam to second-placed Al Ahli, Ivan Toney opening the scoring and, at the same time, taking solo lead in the race for the golden boot. It marked the Englishman's 25th goal of the RSL season.

Just before break, it was 2-0. Valentin Atangana side-footed home Galeno’s cross from the right following a well-worked corner, and Al Ahli were heading back to the top of the table.

However, Al Qadsiah rallied remarkably. Musab Al Juwayr, the reigning RSL Young Player of the Season, began the comeback just after the hour, finishing off another fine move, before that extraordinary injury-time unfolded.

“The first half wasn't us; we didn't play with the intensity we know,” captain Nacho said. “We talked at the end of the first half during the break that we had to change that, because you can lose, but you always have to have your identity.”

Certainly, Rodgers’ has given Al Qadsiah that. In 17 RSL matches since succeeding Michel in the dugout in December, the former Celtic and Liverpool manager remains undefeated.

Albeit with leaders Al Nassr still to play in Matchweek 26, Al Qadsiah are four points off the summit, with dreams of a historic top-flight trophy and, after the most unbelievable of victories, momentum on their side.

“Congratulations to all the fans of Al Qadsiah,” Nacho, the Real Madrid great, trumpeted. “This is a good start. We’re a club with a lot of future, and I hope the games continue like this.”