In a thrilling encounter at the King Saud University Stadium, Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal was not enough to secure a victory for Al Nassr as they drew 2-2 with Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League.
The match, held on March 7, 2025, saw Al Nassr come from behind to take the lead, only to be pegged back by a resilient Al Shabab side.
The game started brightly for Al Nassr, with the home side dominating possession and creating several chances. However, it was Al Shabab who struck first, taking the lead in the 44th minute through a penalty by Abderrazzaq Hamed-Allah. The penalty was awarded after Daniel Podence was fouled by Nayef Bu Washi in the box.
Al Nassr responded swiftly, with Ronaldo playing a pivotal role. In the 11 minutes of injury time at the end of the first half, Ronaldo saw an effort cleared off the line before Aiman Yahya turned in the equalizer. Just five minutes later, Ronaldo completed the turnaround with a powerful strike into the roof of the net, marking his 926th career goal.
However, the second half saw a dramatic turn of events. Mohammed Al Fatil was shown a straight red card in the 52nd minute for denying Podence a clear goalscoring opportunity. This left Al Nassr with ten men, and Al Shabab capitalized on their numerical advantage. Mohammed Al Shwirekh headed in the equalizer in the 67th minute, ensuring that the points were shared.
Despite Ronaldo’s heroics, Al Nassr missed the chance to close the gap to the top three in the league standings. They remain in fourth place, struggling to secure a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite. The team’s defensive frailties were once again exposed, with Marcelo Brozovic and Ali Al Hassan failing to provide the necessary stability in midfield.
Ronaldo’s goal, his 18th in the Saudi Pro League this season, further solidified his position as the league’s top scorer. However, Al Nassr’s inability to build a competitive team around him has left them trailing behind their rivals, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad.
As the season nears its final stretch, Al Nassr must address their defensive issues and find a way to support their star player if they hope to secure a top-three finish and a place in Asia’s elite club competition.
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