The match between Al-Nassr vs Al-Wehad where Al-Nassr continued their dominant run in the Saudi Pro League with a 2-0 win against Al-Wehda, showcasing their superiority in both attack and defense. The victory was marked by goals from Angelo and Cristiano Ronaldo, pushing the team up to second in the league standings.
Match Overview
Al-Nassr controlled the first half from the onset, with their relentless attack keeping Al-Wehda on the back foot. After several missed opportunities, Angelo opened the scoring in the 40th minute. The winger took advantage of a perfectly timed through-ball from Sadio Mane, lobbing Al-Wehda’s goalkeeper Abdullah Al Owaishir for a clinical finish.
Despite Al-Wehda’s attempts to respond, their chances of a comeback diminished when midfielder Waleed Bakshween was sent off late in the game, reducing them to 10 men. This opened the door for Al-Nassr to further dominate.
Ronaldo’s Icy Finish from the Spot
The turning point came in the second half when Mohamed Al Makahasi fouled Sultan Al Ghannam inside the box. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and delivered a cool finish from the penalty spot, extending Al-Nassr’s lead to 2-0. The Portuguese star showed his usual composure, slotting the ball past Al Owaishir to cement the victory.
Ronaldo’s goal brings him to another milestone, as his contributions continue to be crucial for Al-Nassr in their quest to challenge Al-Hilal for the top spot in the Saudi Pro League.
Mane’s Near Miss
Sadio Mane was unfortunate not to add to the scoreline late in the match. In the 81st minute, Mane found the net, but the goal was ruled out due to Ronaldo being marginally offside during the build-up. Despite this, Mane’s link-up play with Ronaldo and the rest of the team remains a bright spot for Al-Nassr, highlighting the team’s growing chemistry.
Al-Wehda’s Struggles
Al-Wehda had glimpses of a comeback, with Youssef Amyn’s effort just missing the target before half-time. In the second half, Juninho Bacuna tested Al-Nassr’s goalkeeper Bento with a well-struck shot, but it was not enough to shift the momentum.
Adding to their woes, Bakshween’s sending-off in the 86th minute for dissent sealed their fate. Reduced to 10 men, Al-Wehda struggled to regain any foothold in the game and now find themselves in 14th place in the league standings.
Al-Nassr Eyeing the Top Spot
With this win, Al-Nassr moves within one point of leaders Al-Hilal. The team continues to show their title ambitions, with both their attack and defense firing on all cylinders.
The victory also marks a significant milestone for manager Stefano Pioli, who has now guided Al-Nassr to back-to-back clean sheets in his debut matches, a record in the club’s history.
Key Statistics
- Shots on Target: Al-Nassr recorded 14 of their 19 shots in the first half, with 5 hitting the target.
- Expected Goals (xG): Al-Nassr’s attacking threat reflect in their 1.42 expected goals in the first half alone.
- Possession: Al-Nassr dominated possession, controlling the tempo of the game and limiting Al-Wehda’s opportunities.
As Al-Nassr continues to push for the top spot in the Saudi Pro League, the performances of stars like Ronaldo, Mane, and Angelo are setting the foundation for a promising season ahead.