Al-Ettifaq 0-3 Al-Nassr: Ronaldo scores as Pioli earns first win

Stefano Pioli won his first game in charge of Al-Nassr, with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Al-Ettifaq on Friday.

2024/2025 Saudi Professional League

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

2' Match Event for Al-Ettifaq FC vs Al Nassr FC

3' Match Event for Al-Ettifaq FC vs Al Nassr FC

7' Highlight from Al-Ettifaq FC vs Al Nassr FC

11' Match Event for Al-Ettifaq FC vs Al Nassr FC

20' Match Event for Al-Ettifaq FC vs Al Nassr FC

28' Match Event for Al-Ettifaq FC vs Al Nassr FC

33' Penalty Goal! Al-Ettifaq FC 0-1 Al Nassr FC (Cristiano Ronaldo)

56' GOAL! Al-Ettifaq FC 0-2 Al Nassr FC (Salem Al Najdi)

63' Match Event for Al-Ettifaq FC vs Al Nassr FC

66' Match Event for Al-Ettifaq FC vs Al Nassr FC

69' Highlight from Al-Ettifaq FC vs Al Nassr FC

70' GOAL! Al-Ettifaq FC 0-3 Al Nassr FC (Talisca)

75' Match Event for Al-Ettifaq FC vs Al Nassr FC

80' Highlight from Al-Ettifaq FC vs Al Nassr FC

89' Match Event for Al-Ettifaq FC vs Al Nassr FC

Match Report

Cristiano Ronaldo netted the first goal of Pioli's reign as Al-Nassr picked up just their second win in the Saudi Pro League this season.

It was a fairly even first half until Abdullah Madu fouled Sultan Al Ghannam in the box, and Ronaldo made no mistake from 12 yards to put the visitors in front.

Angelo and Talisca were both denied by the goalkeeper before half-time, but Al-Nassr doubled their lead with the first shot of the second half, as Salem Al Najdi scored a delightful chip from a tight angle in the 56th minute.

Talisca did get his goal in the 70th minute, beating Marek Rodak for power with his low drive after being picked out by Sadio Mane.

Ronaldo almost got a second late on, but with just one minute remaining, he struck the woodwork with a long-range strike. 

Data Debrief: Pioli inspires total dominance

Al-Ettifaq were unbeaten coming into this game, but they offered little in terms of fight, mustering just six shots, two of which were on target, and created just 0.44 expected goals. 

Al-Nassr on the other hand, tested Rodak with half of their 14 shots on target (1.83 xG) - Talisca had the most (five) and was rewarded for it with his late goal.

It was Mane who pulled the strings though, creating four chances, and claiming two assists, while his 18 passes into the final third were the most of anyone on the pitch. 

Line-ups

Al-Ettifaq FC XI: Wijnaldum, Vitinho, Ekambi, S.Fofana, Madallah Al-Olayan, M Dembele, Abdullah Madu, Marek Rodák, Abdullah Khateeb, Abdullah Radif, Radhi Al-Otaibe

Subs: Medrán, Ahmad Al-Harbi, Abdulelah Al-Malki, Abdulbasit Hindi, Meshal Al-Sibyani, Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa, João Costa, Mohamed Abdulrahman, Majed Dawran

Al Nassr FC XI: Ronaldo, Laporte, Mane, Otávio, Talisca, Sultan Al-Ghannam, Abdullah Alkhaibari, Mohamed Simakan, Bento, Ângelo, Salem Al Najdi

Subs: Mohammed Al-Fatil, Mukhtar Ali, Raghed Al-Najjar, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Ali Al-Hassan, Nawaf Al-Boushal, Mohammed Maran, Mubarak Al-Buainain