KSAsportz report
JEDDAH — In a thrilling encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané propelled Al Nassr to a commanding 2-0 victory over defending champions Al Ittihad in a top-of-the-table clash in the Roshn Saudi League on Friday night.
Playing in front of an electrifying crowd at Alinma Stadium, Ronaldo showcased his scoring prowess by extending his streak to four goals in as many matches this season. Mané, too, was in fine form, netting a spectacular volley that gave the visiting team a firm grip on the match by halftime.
The scoring began just nine minutes into the game when João Félix darted through midfield to find Kingsley Coman on the right flank. The French winger delivered a pinpoint cross, which Mané met with a powerful left-footed strike, leaving goalkeeper Predrag Rajković with no chance.
Ten minutes prior to the whistle for halftime, the Senegalese forward turned provider with a perfectly timed assist. Spotting Ronaldo’s well-timed run, he delivered a cross that the captain met with a commanding header, marking his 946th career goal.
From that point onward, Al Nassr demonstrated composure and maturity, effectively managing the game as described by commentator Rio Ferdinand, who made his debut for broadcaster Thmanyah. After the match, Ferdinand shared a touching moment with Ronaldo, who maintained a focused attitude with the phrase: “One game at a time.”
This victory marks Al Nassr’s fourth consecutive win to start the season, propelling them to the top of the league standings ahead of the international break. With Ronaldo eyeing a historic milestone of 1,000 career goals and manager Jorge Jesus’ revamped squad performing cohesively, the Riyadh club is poised for its strongest title challenge in years. According to league statistics, Al Nassr currently sits at the summit of the table with 12 points from four matches, showcasing a goal difference of +8.