- Cristiano Ronaldo’s Early Goal Sets the Tone for Al Nassr’s Victory.
- Sadio Mane and Jhon Duran Extend the Lead Before Halftime.
- Al Nassr Holds Firm Despite Red Card and Al Kholood’s Late Goal.
In a thrilling Saudi Pro League encounter at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, Al Nassr emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Al Kholood.
Despite being reduced to 10 men in the second half, early goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and newcomer Jhon Duran secured the crucial three points for the home side.
Ronaldo’s Early Impact
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Al Nassr wasted no time asserting dominance, with Cristiano Ronaldo finding the net just four minutes into the match.
The Portuguese star capitalized on a rebound after Al Kholood’s goalkeeper, Marcelo Grohe, parried Duran’s initial effort.
This goal marked Ronaldo’s 19th league goal of the season, extending his lead over Al Shabab’s Abderrazak Hamdallah by two goals.
Shortly after, Al Kholood believed they had equalized when Myziane Maolida scored from the edge of the box.
However, a lengthy VAR review disallowed the goal due to a foul on Mane in the buildup.
Mane and Duran Extend the Lead
Building on their momentum, Al Nassr doubled their lead with a well-executed play involving Ronaldo and Salem Al-Najdi.
Ronaldo’s precise through ball found Al-Najdi, who delivered a curling cross that Mane expertly headed into the net.
Minutes before halftime, Jhon Duran showcased his individual brilliance.
Read Also: Ronaldo Nets 100th Premier League Goal, Dedicates Goal to Late Son
The Colombian forward shifted the ball to his left outside the penalty area and unleashed a low-driven shot into the bottom right corner, giving Al Nassr a comfortable 3-0 advantage at the break.
Resilient Defense After Red Card
The second half presented challenges for Al Nassr when Nawaf Boushal received two yellow cards within ten minutes, reducing the team to 10 men.
Sensing an opportunity, Al Kholood intensified their attacks and managed to pull one back in the 70th minute.
Jackson Muleka’s shot deflected off Ali Lajami, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and narrowing the deficit to 3-1.
Despite the numerical disadvantage and mounting pressure, Al Nassr’s defense remained resolute, ensuring they secured all three points.
Closing the Gap in the Title Race
This victory is pivotal for Al Nassr, as it narrows the gap to 10 points behind league leaders Al Ittihad, keeping their title aspirations alive as the season progresses.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s consistent performances continue to inspire Al Nassr, with the veteran forward leading by example and contributing significantly to the team’s success.
After 25 matches in the Saudi Professional League, Al Nassr has accumulated 51 points, securing the fourth position in the standings. Meanwhile, Al Kholood sits in 10th place with a total of 31 points.
Al Nassr are taking on the Second-placed Al-Hilal on the 4th April, 2025 as Al Kholood are also competing against Al Taawoun which currently sits eight on the Saudi Professional League Table.
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