Cristiano Ronaldo was on target once again as his 14th league goal of the season helped Al-Nassr to a 3-1 victory over bottom-club Al-Fateh on Sunday.
2024/2025 Saudi Professional League
3-1
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
13' Highlight from Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
14' Match Event for Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
28' Match Event for Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
32' Match Event for Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
38' Match Event for Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
41' OWN GOAL! Al Nassr FC 1-0 Al Fateh (Marwane Saadane)
47' Highlight from Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
48' Highlight from Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
49' Highlight from Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
55' Match Event for Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
57' GOAL! Al Nassr FC 2-0 Al Fateh (Mohamed Simakan)
60' Highlight from Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
62' Match Event for Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
66' Highlight from Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
70' Match Event for Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
72' GOAL! Al Nassr FC 2-1 Al Fateh (Mourad Batna)
78' Match Event for Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
87' GOAL! Al Nassr FC 3-1 Al Fateh (Cristiano Ronaldo)
88' Match Event for Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
90' Match Event for Al Nassr FC vs Al Fateh
Match Report
Ronaldo has now scored in all four of his matches against Al-Fateh in the Saudi Pro League (five goals), something he has only otherwise done against Al-Shabab and Al-Wehda.
After dominating the early exchanges, with Sadio Mane and Ronaldo going close, Al-Nassr edged in front four minutes before the break through Marwane Saadane's own-goal.
Mohamed Simakan then powered the hosts 2-0 in front in the 57th minute after rising highest to guide Angelo's inviting free-kick beyond the grasp of Peter Szappanos.
But Al-Fateh threatened a nervy ending at Al-Awwal Park when Mourad Batna halved the deficit after capitalising on Bento's failed attempt to dribble the ball out from the back.
However, Ronaldo settled the contest three minutes from time with a finish from inside the penalty area, rounding off a sweeping counter-attack that involved Mane and Angelo.
The Portuguese superstar thought he had grabbed his second of the game in second-half stoppage time with a fierce effort into the roof of the net, but was ruled out for offside.
Al-Nassr's win moved them above Al-Qadsiah and into third in the table, with Al-Raed, who were beaten by Al-Kholood at the weekend, up next.
At King Abdullah Sports City, Ivan Toney scored twice for Al-Ahli to lead them to a 5-0 thrashing of Al-Riyadh, taking the former Brentford's league goal tally to six for the season.
The result kept Al-Ahli in fifth, but they were able to pull further clear of the chasing pack, and are now just three points behind Al-Nassr in the standings.
Al-Ahli hit the front with just four minutes on the clock when Riyad Mahrez's clipped ball forward was controlled by the chest of Toney, who then fired a left-footed strike home.
The hosts did, however, have to wait until the hour to double their lead when Ziyad Al Johani struck past Milan Borjan.
Roberto Firmino then provided the finishing touch from Franck Kessie's cross, before Toney put the result beyond doubt with a penalty after being fouled by goalkeeper Borjan.
But Al-Ahli saved their best goal until last, when Mahrez exquisitely brought down Edouard Mendy's long punt forward before curling the ball into the top-right-hand corner.
Line-ups
Al Nassr FC XI: Ronaldo, Brozovic, Mane, Otávio, Sultan Al-Ghannam, Abdullah Alkhaibari, Ali Lajami, Mohamed Simakan, Bento, Nawaf Al-Boushal, Ângelo
Subs: Mohammed Al-Fatil, Abdulmajeed Al-Sulayhim, Raghed Al-Najjar, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Ali Al-Hassan, Mohammed Marran, Salem Al Najdi, Majed Qasheesh, Saad Haqawi
Al Fateh XI: Péter Szappanos, Djaniny, Sofiane Bendebka, Mourad Batna, Marwane Saadane, Ammar Al-Dohaim, Vargas, Ziyad Al-Jari, Suhayb Al-Zaid, Saeed Baattia, Hussain Al-Zarie
Subs: Mohammed Al-Fuhaid, Mohammed Al-Kunaydiri, Othman Al-Othman, Amine Sbaï, Abdullah Safuq Al-Enezi, Ahmed Al-Julaydan, Ali Al-Masoud, Naif Masoud, Muhannad Al-Yahya