KABARMASA.COM, SAUDI - Cristiano Ronaldo’s first goal of the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season was not enough for Al Nassr as the title hopefuls were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Al Raed in their opening league game of the season.
Captain Ronaldo headed in former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane’s cross for the 33rd-minute opener at the Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.
Al Nassr dominated possession and had 28 of the 35 attempts at goal but were pegged back when Moroccan midfielder Mohamed Fouzair converted a penalty four minutes after the break.
Al Nassr results
The result marks a forgettable five days for Ronaldo’s side, who lost the Saudi Super Cup final 4-1 against Al Hilal on Saturday.
After finishing 14 points behind champions Al Hilal last season, Al Nassr are unlikely to be able to afford many slip-ups this season.
Al Hilal won 31 and drew three of their 34 league matches in 2023-24, making Al Nassr’s four draws and four defeats costly in their unconvincing title challenge.
Al Raed level the contest away to Al Nassr after Fouzair expertly converts from the penalty spot ⚽️#EsportsWorldCup pic.twitter.com/pzpcBSE6VH
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) August 22, 2024
Ronaldo off mark with goal
Ronaldo’s 35 goals made him the runaway top scorer last season in the Saudi top flight – seven ahead of Al Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic – but the most prolific scorer in the division will face another frustrating year on the evidence of this result.
The situation could have been worse for the hosts had former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte’s not been spared a red card in the penalty incident.
Laporte’s foul on Fouzair was initially adjudged worthy of his dismissal, only for a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check to confirm the penalty but not the level of punishment for the centre-back.
Cristiano Ronaldo has already scored 5️⃣0️⃣ goals in the #RoshnSaudiLeague 🐐#EsportsWorldCup pic.twitter.com/RNZczEj8Y0
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) August 22, 2024
Al Raed goalkeeper Meshary Sanyor saved Talisca’s second-half free-kick before the Brazilian forward sent a header against a post.
Ronaldo then thought he had restored the advantage from Marcelo Brozovic’s pass before the goal was disallowed for an offside decision against the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, and Al Nassr also had a penalty appeal turned down following a last-gasp VAR review.
Al Hilal start their league campaign at Al Okhdood on Saturday (7pm BST). Al Nassr are next in action when they visit Al-Fayha on Tuesday (7pm).
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