Nassr's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo looks on during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr at at al-Awwal Stadium in Riyadh on September 13, 2024.
In a thrilling Saudi Pro League clash on Friday night at the Ettifaq Club Stadium, Al Nassr secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Al Ettifaq. With Cristiano Ronaldo, Abdulrahman Al Najdi, and Anderson Talisca finding the back of the net, Al Nassr cruised to an easy win under new manager Steven Pioli. This match marked Pioli's first game in charge of Al Nassr, and his team delivered a flawless performance.
Ronaldo Opens the Scoring
Al Nassr kicked off their 2024-25 Saudi Pro League campaign in style. The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when Cristiano Ronaldo calmly converted a penalty to give his team the lead. The Portuguese legend netted his 902nd career goal after Madu fouled Al-Ghanam inside the box, giving the referee no choice but to award a penalty. Ronaldo stepped up, as cool as ever, and slotted the ball right down the middle to put Al Nassr ahead at 1-0.
This goal was crucial in settling Al Nassr’s nerves and laying the foundation for a dominant performance. Al Ettifaq tried to respond, but Toko Ekambi's curling effort in the 35th minute flew just wide of the target.
Al Najdi Doubles the Lead
Al Nassr kept the pressure on and doubled their lead in the 56th minute. Sadio Mané, in his usual selfless style, set up Abdulrahman Al Najdi with a pinpoint through ball. Al Najdi made an intelligent run into the box and dinked the ball over goalkeeper Rodak from a tight angle, securing his first goal for Al Nassr.
Al Ettifaq's defence looked disorganised at times, and this goal emphasised their struggles. Despite some attempts to get back into the game, the Al Nassr backline, led by Aymeric Laporte, stood firm and didn’t allow Ettifaq a way back into the match.
Talisca Seals the Win
With a comfortable 2-0 lead, Al Nassr didn’t let up and continued to press forward. In the 70th minute, Anderson Talisca added the third goal of the night, cementing Al Nassr’s dominance. Mané once again provided the assist, sending in a low cross from the left, which Ronaldo narrowly missed. However, Talisca made no mistake, firing a first-time shot into the back of the net. The Brazilian midfielder’s goal was the final blow for Ettifaq, who had no response to Al Nassr’s attacking brilliance.
Talisca’s goal marked the end of any real hopes Ettifaq had of staging a comeback. Steven Gerrard, Al Ettifaq’s manager, made defensive substitutions in an attempt to limit further damage, but it was too little, too late.
Second-Half Struggles for Ettifaq
Al Ettifaq started the second half with renewed intent, making some attacking forays into Al Nassr’s half. Moussa Dembele and Radif tried their best to penetrate the Nassr defence but were often left frustrated by a resolute backline. Their best chance came in the 80th minute when Dembele found himself one-on-one with Al Nassr’s goalkeeper, Bento. However, Bento made a brilliant save, coming off his line to close down the angle and preserve his clean sheet.
Despite the occasional chance, Al Ettifaq lacked the cutting edge needed to break down a well-drilled Al Nassr defence. Vitinho’s appeal for a penalty in the 49th minute was waved away by the referee, and Ettifaq’s frustration grew as they struggled to find any rhythm in the game.
Ronaldo’s Near Miss
Cristiano Ronaldo nearly scored a second in the dying moments of the match. In the 90th minute, Sadio Mané set him up for a spectacular effort from the edge of the box. Ronaldo unleashed a powerful strike that had the goalkeeper beaten but was denied by the crossbar. It was a reminder of Ronaldo’s undying hunger to score, even with the match already sealed.
As the match drew to a close, Al Nassr controlled the tempo, slowing down the game and ensuring their comfortable 3-0 lead remained intact. Steven Pioli’s tactical approach, which emphasised defensive solidity and quick transitions, paid off brilliantly in his first outing as Al Nassr manager.
Key StatsShots on target: Al Ettifaq – 1, Al Nassr – 8
Possession: Al Ettifaq – 47%, Al Nassr – 53%
Yellow Cards: Fofana (Al Ettifaq), Mukhtar Ali (Al Nassr), Moussa Dembele (Al Ettifaq)
These stats highlight Al Nassr’s dominance, especially in front of goal. Al Ettifaq’s lack of clear-cut opportunities was their downfall, while Al Nassr capitalised on their chances with ruthless efficiency.
Full-Time: Al Ettifaq 0-3 Al Nassr
As the final whistle blew, Al Nassr celebrated a well-deserved victory. The 3-0 scoreline reflected their superiority throughout the match, and Ronaldo, Al Najdi, and Talisca were the standout performers. This result will give Al Nassr plenty of confidence as they continue their Saudi Pro League campaign, while Al Ettifaq will need to regroup and work on their defensive frailties.
For Steven Pioli, this was the perfect start to life at Al Nassr, and the team’s blend of attacking flair and defensive discipline will have pleased the Italian manager. As for Ronaldo, his spot-kick marked yet another milestone in his legendary career, and fans will be eager to see how many more goals he can add to his tally this season.
Al Nassr’s next fixture promises more excitement as they aim to continue their winning streak in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League.
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