“Cristiano Ronaldo converts after a string of corners and aerial attempts finally pays off, giving Al Nassr the lead.”
Pivotal“Samú Costa doubles the lead after another corner, assisted by João Félix, putting Al Diraiyah firmly on the back foot before half-time.”
Pivotal“Kingsley Coman finishes off a dominant display, scoring the third after Sadio Mané's earlier effort was saved, sealing a comprehensive win.”
Al Nassr
Al Diraiyah FC
Outstanding performance
Al Nassr•AttackerAl Nassr took control early and never let go, scoring twice inside the first 35 minutes through Cristiano Ronaldo and Samú Costa before Kingsley Coman added a late third to make the scoreline reflect the gulf in quality. The hosts dominated every meaningful metric, out-shooting Al Diraiyah 17-10 with ten shots on target to just one, and creating six big chances to their opponents' solitary effort. Ronaldo's opener came from sustained pressure after a flurry of corners and headers, while Samú Costa's second, assisted by João Félix, arrived after Al Diraiyah failed to clear their lines repeatedly. For Al Diraiyah, sitting mid-table and already struggling for form, this is another damaging result that will pile pressure on them heading into the next round of fixtures, while Al Nassr's attacking depth - with Sadio Mané and Coman combining for the third - continues to make them a dangerous side on their day.
How entertaining was this match?
Offside.
Abdulla Al Hamdan takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Chancel Mbemba Mangulu attempts a header but misses the shot.
Saad Al-Nasser is substituted for Awad Aman.
Meshari Al Nemer replaces Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Husain Al Monassar comes on for Adil Boulbina.
Taher Wadi comes on for Oscar Rodriguez Arnaiz.
Ayman Yahya comes on for Kingsley Coman.
Abdulla Al Hamdan is on, and Joao Felix Sequeira is off.
Sami Al-Najei comes on for Abdullah Al Khaibari.
Kingsley ComanShot by Kingsley Coman with his right foot results in a goal.
assist: Sadio Mané
Goal! Kingsley Coman scores to make it 3-0, assisted by Sadio Mane.
Corner awarded.
Sadio Mane takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Lovro Chelfi comes on for Hussain Al-Sabiyani.
Inigo Martinez Berridi takes a header shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Joao Felix Sequeira takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Samuel Almeida Costa attempts a header but misses the shot.
Corner awarded.
Adil Boulbina takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Shot by Oscar Rodriguez Arnaiz with his right foot, but it misses the target.
Corner awarded.
Chancel Mbemba Mangulu attempts a header but misses the shot.
Offside.
Qasim Al-Oujami attempts a header but misses the shot.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Enzo Millot takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Shot by Oscar Rodriguez Arnaiz with his right foot misses the target.
Offside.
Shot by Mohamed Simakan with a header, but it misses the target.
First half ends with the score at 2-0.
Yellow card for Abdulaziz Al Faraj.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Joao Felix Sequeira takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Darwin NúñezVAR decision confirms that no penalty will be awarded for Darwin Gabriel Nunez Ribeiro.
VAR decision pending for a potential penalty.
Corner awarded.
Shot on goal! Samuel Almeida Costa scores with a header.
assist: João Félix
Goal! Samuel Almeida Costa scores to make it 2-0, assisted by Joao Felix Sequeira.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Berat Djimsiti takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Chancel MbembaYellow CardChancel Mbemba Mangulu receives a yellow card.
Cristiano RonaldoCristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Kingsley Coman takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Goal! Cristiano Ronaldo scores to make it 1-0.
Chancel Mbemba Mangulu attempts a header but misses the shot.
Shot by Mohamed Simakan with a header, but it misses the target.
Corner awarded.
Samuel Almeida Costa takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked off the line.
Nawaf Al-Boushail takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Sadio Mane's left-footed shot is saved.
Offside.
Corner awarded.
Chancel Mbemba Mangulu takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Corner awarded.
Offside.
Kick-off has occurred!
Al Nassr welcome back a fully fit Cristiano Ronaldo as they look to close the gap on the league leaders against a resilient Al Diraiyah side that has thrived on the road. With all three home wins this season, Al-Awwal Park should be a fortress, but Al Diraiyah's counterattacking threat makes this far from a formality.
