One More Step for Cristiano Ronaldo! Al-Nassr Beat Al-Ittihad

Published: 20 August 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk

Cristiano Ronaldo moved a step closer to his first silverware with Al-Nassr as the Riyadh giants secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. In a match packed with twists, controversy, and moments of brilliance, Ronaldo once again proved pivotal in guiding his side to an important win.

The encounter began at a frantic pace, with Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento almost gifting Al-Ittihad the opening goal. His misplaced pass fell directly to Karim Benzema at the edge of the penalty area, but the French striker dragged his shot wide of the post to the relief of the home supporters. Moments later, Al-Nassr made the most of their reprieve. Marcelo Brozovic delivered a fine cross into the area, finding Sadio Mané in space. The Senegalese forward controlled, turned, and fired at goal, with the ball somehow slipping past goalkeeper Hamed Al-Shanqiti, who will have been disappointed not to keep it out.

Al-Ittihad’s response was swift. Just six minutes later, Steven Bergwijn drew his side level with a low strike following a flowing move down the left flank. The Dutchman’s equaliser set the stage for a tense battle, and the game’s complexion shifted even further when Mané, scorer of the opener, turned villain. The winger was dismissed midway through the first half after a reckless stamp on Al-Shanqiti, leaving Jorge Jesus’s side down to ten men with over an hour still to play.

The setback only seemed to inspire Ronaldo and his teammates. On the hour mark, Al-Nassr’s captain showcased his intelligence and unselfishness, breaking the offside trap before squaring the ball to João Félix for a simple finish into an empty net. The Portuguese forward, enjoying a resurgence in Saudi Arabia, nearly doubled his tally soon after, drilling a low shot into the net. However, the strike was ruled out following a foul by Ronaldo in the build-up on Fabinho.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Al-Nassr displayed resilience and tactical discipline, weathering late pressure from Al-Ittihad and holding on for a significant victory. The win not only underlined the growing chemistry between Ronaldo and Félix but also highlighted the Portuguese duo’s importance to Al-Nassr’s ambitions this season.

For Mané, the night was one of contrasting fortunes. His early goal looked to have set Al-Nassr on course for a comfortable evening, but his reckless dismissal forced his teammates to dig deeper. While he protested the referee’s decision, replays suggested little room for complaint.

Ultimately, it was Ronaldo’s leadership and Félix’s sharp finishing that made the difference. Ronaldo, though denied a goal of his own, orchestrated the key moments that carried his team over the line. With each passing game, the 40-year-old continues to show his enduring influence and desire, and this win brings him closer to his first trophy in Saudi Arabia.

For Al-Ittihad, the result marked a bitter disappointment, particularly after failing to capitalise on their man advantage. Benzema and Bergwijn provided flashes of quality, but their inability to convert further chances cost them dearly.

As the Saudi Pro League gathers momentum, the spotlight will remain firmly on Ronaldo and Al-Nassr, whose pursuit of glory is becoming one of the defining stories of the season.