Al-Nassr Edge Past Al-Riyadh to Stay Firmly in Saudi Pro League Title Race


Al-Nassr continued their pursuit of Saudi Pro League glory with a disciplined 1–0 away victory over Al-Riyadh, overcoming stubborn resistance to claim all three points in a closely fought encounter at the Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz Stadium.

Despite the absence of their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr demonstrated their growing depth and maturity, controlling large spells of the game and showing patience to break down their opponents.

Mané Makes the Difference

The decisive moment arrived in the 40th minute, when Sadio Mané struck the only goal of the match. The Senegalese forward latched onto a well-weighted pass from João Félix before calmly finishing past the Al-Riyadh goalkeeper, rewarding Al-Nassr’s dominance.

Al-Nassr enjoyed the majority of possession and created several clear chances, but resolute defending and last-ditch interventions from Al-Riyadh kept the scoreline narrow. Mané thought he had doubled his tally late on, only for VAR to rule the effort out for offside, ensuring a tense finale.

Al-Riyadh’s Resistance Falls Short

Al-Riyadh approached the match with determination and defensive organization, aiming to frustrate one of the league’s strongest sides. While they showed commitment and discipline for much of the contest, clear attacking opportunities were limited, and they struggled to test Al-Nassr’s defensive line consistently.

The hosts’ frustration was evident late in the game, culminating in Tozé’s red card deep into stoppage time, which effectively ended any hopes of a dramatic comeback.


Ronaldo Absence Sparks Debate

Cristiano Ronaldo’s non-appearance was one of the major talking points surrounding the fixture. While official reasons pointed to fitness and squad management, his absence has fueled wider discussions about Al-Nassr’s long-term direction and internal dynamics. Nevertheless, the result underlined the team’s ability to secure important victories even without their global superstar.

Title Implications

The win marked Al-Nassr’s fifth consecutive league victory, keeping them firmly in contention near the top of the table and within touching distance of league leaders Al-Hilal. It also reinforced their credentials as genuine title challengers as the season enters a decisive phase.

For Al-Riyadh, the defeat highlighted ongoing struggles against top-tier opposition and left them searching for consistency as they continue their campaign in the lower half of the standings.

Conclusion

While the scoreline may suggest a narrow contest, Al-Nassr’s control, composure, and tactical discipline ultimately proved decisive. As the Saudi Pro League title race intensifies, victories like this — earned under pressure and away from home — could prove crucial in shaping the season’s outcome.




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