Cristiano Ronaldo's Brace Powers Al Nassr to a Dominant 3-0 Victory Over Al Okhdood in the Saudi Pro League 2023-24

Al Nassr vs Al Okhdood: Ronaldo's Brace Secures a Dominant 3-0 Victory

Photo Credit: Ahmed Yosri

 

Introduction

In a thrilling encounter at Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr emerged victorious against Al Okhdood with a convincing 3-0 win in the Saudi Pro League 2023-24. Cristiano Ronaldo, fresh from Portugal's successful Euro 2024 qualification campaign, played a pivotal role in leading

Al Nassr to triumph.

Match Highlights

The match concluded with a resounding victory for Al Nassr, as Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his brilliance with a stunning brace. The final scoreline of 3-0 reflected Al Nassr's dominance, bringing them within a point of league leaders Al Hilal.

Ronaldo's Heroics

In the 13th minute, Sami Al-Najei opened the scoring for Al Nassr, tapping in a goal to give his team an early lead. The Portuguese maestro, Ronaldo, displayed his goal-scoring prowess with two remarkable goals in the 76th and 79th minutes. His second goal, a deft chip from over 35 yards, left spectators in awe and put Al Okhdood out of contention.

Key Moments

Second Half Action

• In the 87th minute, Ronaldo miscued a shot from the edge of the box, showing the hunger for another hat-trick.
• Al Okhdood pressed for a consolation goal in the 92nd minute, but Al Nassr goalkeeper Al-Najjar was determined to secure a clean sheet.

Ronaldo's Brilliance

• Ronaldo's first goal in the 76th minute came from an acute angle, highlighting his enduring skill as one of the most dangerous strikers.
• The 79th-minute goal showcased Ronaldo's finesse, with a long-range chip that sealed the victory.

Near Misses

• In the 74th minute, Ronaldo scored a beauty, but it was ruled offside, adding to the excitement.
• Al Zabdani's cross in the 57th minute nearly embarrassed Al Nassr's goalkeeper, but the overcooked delivery went just over the crossbar.

Match Analysis

The second half saw Al Okhdood attempting a comeback, showcasing resolute defense and speed in attack. However, Al Nassr's quality proved too much for the visiting side to handle. Marcelo Brozovic's introduction added experience, helping Al Nassr control the game effectively.

Al Nassr's victory, fueled by Cristiano Ronaldo's stellar performance, cements their position as a formidable force in the Saudi Pro League. The Knights of Najd, now within striking distance of the league leaders, Al Hilal, are set for an exciting season ahead.

Key Stats

• Al Nassr is the highest-scoring team in the Saudi Pro League this season, with 36 goals.
• Al Okhdood, with only 10 goals, is the lowest-scoring team in the league.
• Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al Nassr has scored in their last 18 games across all competitions.
• Al-Nassr is on an 11-game unbeaten streak in the Saudi top flight.

Predicted Lineups

Al Nassr: Al-Aqidi; Al-Ghannam, Al-Amri, Al-Fatil, Telles; Fofana, Brozovic; Talisca, Otavio, Mane; Ronaldo

Al Okhdood: Vitor; Al Zabdani, Al-Rubaie, Kvirkvelia, Burca, Ricardo; Collado, Pedroza, Tanase, Godwin; Tawamba

When and Where

The match kicked off at 11:30 PM IST on November 24, 2023, at Al-Awwal Park Stadium.

How to Watch

The match was broadcast on Sportstar and could be live-streamed on the Sony LIV app and website.

In summary, Al Nassr's impressive performance, especially Ronaldo's standout display, makes them strong contenders in the Saudi Pro League, promising fans an enthralling season.