The Clasico Comeback: Demiral's Last-Gasp Goal and the Crowd's Secret Weapon
8 January 2026
Key Moments and the Crowd's Role
Turkish defender Merih Demiral of Al-Ahli Jeddah lifted the lid on the behind-the-scenes moments of the decisive goal he scored against Al Hilal in the Saudi Clasico, part of the Saudi Pro League.
He recalled how his side overturned a 0-3 deficit to salvage a thrilling 3-3 draw in the third round of the season, with his third goal coming in stoppage time of the second half.
Demiral said that goal gave his team a priceless point and spared them an early defeat, a memory that still resonates.
On the club's official X account, he joked: "Do you know how many times I watched that goal? I swear I have no idea."
He added that he watches the fans' reactions and that his teammates went nuts with excitement.
Fans, Confidence, and the Clasico Spirit
"If we had three or five more minutes, we could have scored again. That’s why I ran like this, because I believed we could add another strike," he said.
Demiral also spoke about the atmosphere when playing in front of their own supporters, noting the energy they generate and how different it feels when facing other Saudi teams on their turf.
He emphasized that his teammates' fans "always sing, never leave the stadium early" and that this continued support matters a lot.
Reflecting on the comeback, he said that even when trailing 3-0 and glancing at a packed stadium in the final 20 minutes, he felt the possibility of a late equalizer and believed in it.
Caption: The crowd's roar fueled Demiral's late goal and Al Ahli's fightback in the Clasico.
Punchline 1: If football were a stand-up show, this Clasico would close with a standing ovation every 90 seconds.
Punchline 2: I ran so fast in that moment the ball filed its own tax return for the sprint.
