Al-Nassr Dominates Al-Kholood with Ronaldo Leading the Charge in 3-0 Victory
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A commanding performance from Al-Nassr, spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo, saw them defeat Al-Kholood 3-0 at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium. The victory solidifies Al-Nassr’s position in the Saudi Pro League and brings Ronaldo within striking distance of the league’s leading goalscorer.
First-Half Pressure Yields Few Rewards
Al-Nassr established control from the opening whistle, creating a flurry of opportunities in the early stages. A swift combination between Felix and Sadio Mane within the first two minutes saw the Senegalese forward head wide. The pressure continued as Felix played a key role in a move that resulted in Ronaldo’s goal-bound shot being dramatically cleared off the line by 19-year-old Mansour Camara.
Despite dominating possession, Al-Nassr struggled to convert their chances in the first half. Ronaldo missed a headed opportunity, and Mane saw a strike disallowed due to Felix being marginally offside. The home side, Al-Kholood, managed to withstand the onslaught, largely thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Juan Pablo Cozzani, who repelled a powerful header from Simakan, and a stunning goal-line block from John Buckley, who bravely diverted Ronaldo’s shot over the crossbar.
Ronaldo Breaks the Deadlock, Simakan Extends the Lead
The deadlock was broken just two minutes into the second half. Felix once again found space behind the defense, beating the offside trap and selflessly squaring the ball for Ronaldo to calmly slot home. This marked Ronaldo’s 17th goal of the Saudi Pro League season, placing him just one goal behind current top scorer Ivan Toney, and incredibly, his 961st career goal.
Al-Nassr quickly doubled their advantage. Simakan rose highest to power home another excellent delivery from Felix, securing his second assist of the match. From that point onward, the contest was largely one-sided, with Al-Kholood struggling to mount any meaningful attacks.
Red Card and Penalty Seal the Victory
The home side’s woes were compounded by a red card for captain Hatan Bahbri, who was sent off after an elbow on Simakan, a decision confirmed by VAR. In the closing stages, a penalty was awarded after Ramzi Solan was fouled in the box. With both Ronaldo and Mane having been substituted, Coman stepped up and confidently converted the spot-kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and sealing a comprehensive 3-0 victory for Al-Nassr.
