Simply put, Ronaldo had a bad night. It was also not Al-Nassr’s. The 39-year-old had numerous chances to establish his dominance during the game, but it was not meant to be. Not only was the Portuguese player twice stopped by the woodwork, but he also, remarkably, was unable to direct his headers into the net—the kind of shots that are often the striker’s bread and butter. But there’s no denying that Al-Raed’s win that evening was highly merited.
Ronaldo and company started slowly, and the visitors took advantage of their opponent’s lack of initiative right away. In the first quarter, David Ospina of the Nassr goal was busier than usual as Julio Tavares and Karim El Berkaoui continued to pose questions with their many attempts at goals. Finally, Tavares’ low cross from the left found Berkaoui, who tucked home the easy winner, and Al-Raed were rewarded.
After falling behind, the Knights of Najd awoke from their sleep, and their Portuguese talisman was right there in the middle of things to put them back on equal footing. Ronaldo first volleyed a hopeful cross that Marcelo Brozovic floated in. But his powerful strike ricocheted off the woodwork and landed pleasantly for Ayman Yayha, who scored on the rebound. Ronaldo kept getting more engaged as the first half went on, but the finishing touch eluded him.
In the second half, Al-Raed quickly restored their lead when Al-Nassr’s defense was again caught off guard. Amir Sayoud sent in a low cross that Tavares glanced behind for a close-range goal from an unmarked Mohamed Fouzair. Despite increasing their efforts to get an equalizer, Nassr was not helped by a wasteful Ronaldo. Furthermore, Sayoud’s late goal on the outside of his foot in the 87th minute was sufficient to end the game and possibly put an end to Nassr’s career in the league.аl-RаeԀ wаs оn tҺe verge оf relegаtiоn in 15tҺ plаce, but tҺey eventuаlly stunneԀ tҺe Ԁоminаnt SаuԀi teаm. TҺey will Һаve sоme breаtҺing rооm аs tҺey climb tо tҺe 13tҺ pоsitiоn tҺаnks tо tҺese tҺree pоints. Һоwever, аl-Nаssr’s Һоpes оf winning tҺe cҺаmpiоnsҺip Һаve tаken а seriоus Һit аs tҺey аre nоw nine pоints beҺinԀ leаԀers аl-Һilаl, wҺо аlsо Һаve а mаtcҺ remаining.
When it came to doing what Roando and Sadio Mane could not do on the other end, El Berkaoui and Tavares proved to be capable. The pair often tested Al-Nassr’s fragile defense, and with Sayoud on board, the two strikers were too much to handle. With over ten games remaining, Moroccan attacker Berkaoui will be looking to add to his nine goals this season.
Al-Nassr’s defense will take the brunt following yet another subpar showing. Their lack of discipline at the defense is evident from the 10 goals they have now given up in their last 4 games. Due to their inability to cooperate, Aymeric Laporte and Mohammed Al-Fatil gave Al-Raed plenty of opportunities on Thursday, which he took advantage of to pull off an incredible triumph.
Despite suffering a severe setback to their hopes of winning the championship, Al-Nassr won’t have much time to grieve because they play Al-Ain in the AFC Champions League on Monday. Since they are behind by a goal from the first leg, Ronaldo will need to come up with something spectacular to lead his club to the continental tournament’s final four.