“Bassam Al-Hurayji gave Al Taawoun a shock lead, converting after the visitors had earned two successive corners inside the opening nine minutes to catch Al Nassr's defence flat-footed.”
Pivotal“Samú Costa levelled for Al Nassr in first-half stoppage time, assisted by Sadio Mane, after a frantic spell in which Angelo Gabriel had a shot blocked and Mane himself had just dragged an effort wide.”
Pivotal“Just five minutes into the second half, Cristiano Ronaldo turned the match on its head with a composed finish assisted by Mohamed Simakan, putting Al Nassr ahead for the first time and ultimately deciding the contest.”
Pivotal
Al Nassr
Al Taawoun
Outstanding performance
Al Nassr•MidfielderAl Nassr were caught cold when Bassam Al-Hurayji put Al Taawoun ahead inside 11 minutes, capitalising on two early corners to shock the home side. Despite controlling 59 percent of possession and racking up 16 shots to Al Taawoun's five, Al Nassr struggled to convert their dominance into clear openings in the first half, with Angelo Gabriel and Sadio Mane both spurning chances before Samú Costa levelled with virtually the last action of the first 45 minutes, assisted by Mane. The second half lasted barely five minutes before Ronaldo settled the contest, finishing calmly with the help of Mohamed Simakan to give Al Nassr a lead they never relinquished. Al Taawoun were restricted to just two shots on target across the entire match and three saves from their goalkeeper tell the story of a rearguard that held firm longer than the statistics suggested they should, but ultimately could not withstand the quality of the home side's attacking options.
How entertaining was this match?
João FélixYellow CardYellow card shown to Joao Felix Sequeira.
Corner awarded.
Sadio Mane takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Joao Felix Sequeira takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Ayman Yahya comes on for Kingsley Coman.
Sami Al-Najei is on, and Samuel Almeida Costa is off.
Offside.
Saif Rashad Mohamed is on, and Oscar Dorley is off.
Rakan Al-Tulayhi comes on for Marin Petkov.
Abdullah Al Khaibari is on, and Angelo Gabriel Borges Damaceno is off.
Abdulla Al Hamdan replaces Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro.
Sadio Mane takes a left-footed shot that hits the post.
Kingsley Coman takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Samuel Almeida Costa attempts a header but misses the shot.
Marin PetkovYellow CardYellow card shown to Marin Petkov.
Corner awarded.
Abdulrahman Hendi is on, and Bassam Al Hurayji is off.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Angelo Gabriel Borges Damaceno takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Mohammed Al Kuwaykibi comes on for Younes El Bahraoui.
Cristiano RonaldoShot by Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro with his right foot results in a goal.
Mohamed Simakan takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
assist: Mohamed Simakan
Goal! Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro scores to make it 2-1, assisted by Mohamed Simakan.
Substitution: Parfait Guiagon comes on for Mohammed Al-Aqel.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
The first half ends with a score of 1-1.
Shot on goal! Samuel Almeida Costa scores with a left-footed shot.
assist: Sadio Mané
Goal! Samuel Almeida Costa scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Sadio Mane.
Joao Felix Sequeira attempts a header but misses the shot.
Sadio Mane takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Angelo Gabriel Borges Damaceno takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Sadio Mane's right-footed shot is saved.
Oscar Dorley takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Abderrazak Hamdallah takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Samuel Almeida Costa takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Corner awarded.
Sadio Mane takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Younes El Bahraoui takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Salem Al Najdi receives a yellow card.
Shot by Bassam Al Hurayji with his left foot results in a goal.
Younes El Bahraoui takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Goal! Bassam Al Hurayji scores, making it 0-1.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Kick-off has occurred!
