Al Nassr entered their 15th round Saudi Pro League match against Al Taawoun aiming for a full three points. However, an ineffective performance, particularly from star player Cristiano Ronaldo, led to a 1-1 draw.
Ronaldo Misses Opportunities as Al Nassr Pays the Price
Right from the start, Ronaldo was expected to be the hero, having three golden opportunities in the first half. Yet, his wastefulness cost Al Nassr dearly in the 5th minute of stoppage time when Jumayah used his speed to break free on the left flank, outmaneuvered the defender, and set up Al Nasser for Al Taawoun’s opening goal.
Ronaldo underperforms in the match against Al TaawounCristiano Ronaldo struggled in the match against Al Taawoun (Photo: ANFC).
Laporte Balances the Score for Al Nassr
In the second half, Al Nassr pushed hard to equalize. Their efforts paid off in the 64th minute when center-back Aymeric Laporte rose high to head home a precise cross from Angelo Gabriel, leveling the score at 1-1.
Despite continuous pressure and creating numerous dangerous chances in the remaining minutes, Al Nassr’s attackers could not breach the resilient defense of the home team. The match ended with both teams sharing one point each.
Position on the Standings and Pressure in Saudi Pro League
This draw sees Al Nassr drop to fourth place in the Saudi Pro League 2024-25 standings with 29 points from 15 games. The gap of 11 points behind leaders Al Hilal and Al Ittihad makes their championship hopes increasingly unlikely.
Additionally, if they finish the season in this position, Al Nassr will miss out on a spot in next year’s AFC Champions League. Currently, Al Qadsiah is third with 31 points, adding significant pressure on Coach Rudi Garcia and his team.
Lineups
Al Taawoun: Mailson (Attiah 90′), Jumayah (Rivas 78′), Girotto, Al Saluli, Al Ahmed, Al Nasser, Bahusayn (Al Farhan 85′), El Mahdioui, Fajr (Chavez 90′), Adam Mohammed (Bahebri 79′), Barrow.
Goals: Al Nasser (45+5′).
Al Nassr: Bento, Alganham, Simakan (Ali Lajami 90′), Laporte, Al Boushail, Brozovic, Al Hassan (Marran 64′), Otavio, Mane, Ronaldo, Ghareeb (Angelo Gabriel 46′).
Goals: Laporte (64′).
Conclusion
The draw against Al Taawoun serves as a stark reminder to Al Nassr about the importance of capitalizing on opportunities in football. Ronaldo and his teammates need to improve their performance if they are to maintain any hope of competing for titles or securing a spot in next year’s AFC Champions League. Stay tuned for updates on Al Nassr’s journey at COCC-EDU-VN!
