João Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo once again shone, the Portuguese internationals each scoring a goal, bringing their respective total to 10 goals this season. Faris Najd now has nine wins in nine matches and 30 goals scored.
Al-Nassr wins 4-1 against Al-Khaleej
On Sunday, Al-Nassr hosted Al-Khaleej at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh for the 10th day of the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo’s team dominates the standings with a flawless run, while their opponents occupied sixth place before this meeting. The men of Al-Nassr, coached by Jorge Jesus, arrive undefeated, with eight victories in as many championship matches. They scored 26 goals, the best total in the championship, and conceded only four.
Al-Nassr started the match strongly, with Ronaldo narrowly missing the opening score in the fourth minute with a long-range strike following a well-constructed cross from João Félix. However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was only able to narrowly miss the target. Ronaldo had a second chance, this time in a much better position, with Sadio Mané finding the Portuguese striker inside six yards with a superb pass. Unfortunately for him, the 40-year-old’s shot was spectacularly saved by Al-Khaleej goalkeeper Anthony Moris.
Félix then thought he opened the scoring in the 33rd minute; however, after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was ultimately disallowed for a handball from Marcelo Brozovic ahead of the action. Faris Najd was quick to regain the lead thanks to a perfect cross from Angelo who found Félix, who finished with a subtle touch of the ball. A few minutes later, Wesley doubled the lead with a superb strike, taking advantage of Felix’s intense pressing who gifted the ball to Al-Nassr in the Al-Khaleej area.
Ronaldo scored a magnificent goal with a masterful acrobatic rebound
The second half looked difficult for the visitors, who had to come back from a two-goal deficit against the best defense in the Saudi Pro League. However, they started the second half in the ideal way: Murad Al Hawsawi reduced the gap with a masterful strike in the first minute. Despite increased pressure from Al-Khaleej and numerous attempts from Nawaf Al-Aqidi, it was Al-Nassr who delivered the final blow to the visitors. Sadio Mané managed to deceive Moris with a lobbed curling shot, giving Faris Najd a two-goal lead.
Al-Khaleej’s Dimitrios Kourbelis endured a nightmare evening after missing an early chance and then making a horrific tackle on Ali Al-Hassan, earning him a straight red card. This expulsion followed another spectacular goal, undoubtedly the most beautiful of the match: Ronaldo scored a magnificent goal with a masterful acrobatic recovery from a cross from Nawaj Boushal, thus offering a comfortable 4-1 victory to his team.
