Al Nassr vs Al Ittihad: Ronaldo remains on strike as Faris Najd defeat defending champions

Cristiano Ronaldo remains AWOL as Al Nassr strengthened their title credentials with a 2–0 win over defending champions Al Ittihad at Al-Awwal Park to keep pressure on leaders Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League title race.

The first half was a tightly contested tactical battle. Al-Ittihad had the first big moment of the game, a penalty call involving Moussa Diaby, which was overruled following VAR review.

Al Nassr soon assumed a position of dominance but found it difficult to create clear openings early on, with Al Ittihad’s defence staying organised and disciplined. 

Shots were limited from both sides before the break, and neither goalkeeper was seriously tested in the opening 45 minutes as the game remained deadlocked.

The second-half was more of the same before the breakthrough came in the 84th minute. Al Nassr won a penalty after sustained pressure forced a foul inside the box. Sadio Mané stepped up confidently and dispatched the spot-kick with precision, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give the hosts a 1–0 lead and spark loud celebrations among the home crowd. 

Al Nassr then put the game to bed in added time. In the 96th minute, substitute Ângelo Gabriel found space in the penalty area after a clever team move down the right flank and coolly slotted home to make it 2–0.