Al-Nassr showed resilience in a dramatic first-half comeback, but a second-half red card proved costly as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League. Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning goal, the Riyadh-based club missed the opportunity to gain ground on the league’s top three.
A Rollercoaster First Half
Al-Nassr started brightly, but it was Al-Shabab who struck first in the 44th minute. Abderrazzaq Hamed-Allah calmly converted a penalty after Daniel Podence was fouled in the box by Nayef Bu Washi.
Just when it seemed Al-Nassr would go into halftime trailing, they flipped the game on its head in the lengthy stoppage time. Ronaldo saw an effort dramatically cleared off the line before Aiman Yahya pounced to score the equalizer. Moments later, Ronaldo delivered a moment of brilliance, smashing the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle on the right side. His 926th career goal gave Al-Nassr a 2-1 lead heading into the break.
Turning Point: Al-Nassr Reduced to 10 Men
The match took a dramatic turn early in the second half when Mohammed Al Fatil was shown a straight red card in the 52nd minute for denying Podence a clear goalscoring opportunity. With Al-Nassr down to 10 men, Al-Shabab began to dominate possession, applying relentless pressure in search of an equalizer.
Their persistence paid off in the 66th minute when Mohammed Al Shwirekh rose highest to head home, leveling the score at 2-2. Despite Al-Nassr’s efforts to reclaim the lead, they struggled to regain control while a man down.
Missed Opportunity for Al-Nassr
A victory would have helped Al-Nassr close the gap on the top three in the league standings, but the draw leaves them with ground to make up. While Ronaldo’s heroics once again showcased his brilliance, the team’s defensive lapses and Al Fatil’s red card ultimately proved costly.
With the season progressing, Al-Nassr will need to find consistency if they hope to challenge for the title. Their next matches will be crucial as they look to recover from this setback and keep their championship aspirations alive.