Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved his mettle as he guided Al Nassr to a straightforward 2-0 victory over Al Wehda in a Saudi Pro League 2024-25 clash at the King Abdul Aziz Stadium in Mecca. The match, which experienced a delayed kick-off, saw Ronaldo break the deadlock early in the second half before Sadio Mane sealed the win with a late penalty.
Match Highlights
The game got off to a slow start, with both teams struggling to find rhythm in the first half. Al Wehda, despite sitting at the bottom of the league table, showed early intent by pressing Al Nassr high up the pitch. However, neither side managed to create clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes. The closest opportunity came in the 44th minute when Al Wehda’s goalkeeper, Al-Owaishir, made a stunning save to deny Ronaldo’s curling effort from the edge of the box.
The second half, however, was a different story. Just three minutes after the restart, Ronaldo broke the deadlock. A perfectly timed cross from substitute Angelo found the Portuguese superstar, who made no mistake in slotting the ball into the net for his 17th league goal of the season. The goal injected life into Al Nassr’s attack, and they began to dominate proceedings.
Al Wehda tried to respond, with Juninho Bacuna and Amyn coming close, but their efforts lacked precision. The home side’s frustration grew as Al Nassr’s defense, led by Al Fatil, held firm. In the 97th minute, the visitors were awarded a penalty after a VAR review confirmed that a handball had occurred in the box. Ronaldo, displaying his leadership, handed the responsibility to Sadio Mane, who calmly converted the spot-kick to make it 2-0.
Key Moments
- 48’ | GOAL: Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with a clinical finish after a superb cross from Angelo.
- 97’ | PENALTY: A handball by Al Wehda’s Bacuna led to a penalty, which Sadio Mane converted with ease.
- 44’ | SAVE: Al-Owaishir’s diving save denied Ronaldo a first-half goal.
- 68’ | YELLOW CARD: Al Alaeli received the first booking of the match for a late challenge.
Post-Match Analysis
Al Nassr’s victory was a testament to their resilience and ability to capitalize on key moments. Despite a sluggish start and missing key players like Jhon Duran and Marcelo Brozovic due to suspension, the team rallied around Ronaldo’s leadership. The Portuguese forward’s goal and Mane’s penalty ensured Al Nassr walked away with all three points.
On the other hand, Al Wehda’s struggles continued. While they showed glimpses of promise in the first half, their inability to convert chances and defensive lapses cost them dearly. The result leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table, with much work to do in the remainder of the season.
Final Score
Al Wehda 0-2 Al Nassr
Goals: Ronaldo (48’), Mane (100’ pen)
Al Nassr’s win solidifies their position in the league table, while Al Wehda will need to regroup quickly as they aim to climb out of the relegation zone. For now, the spotlight remains on Cristiano Ronaldo, whose influence continues to drive Al Nassr’s success in the Saudi Pro League.
