Al-Nassr faces Damac at the Al Awal Park stadium, in Riade, in a decisive clash that could seal the victory of Campeonato Saudita. The match takes place six days after the team conceded a stoppage-time draw against rival Al-Hilal, a result that postponed the official celebration of the cup. Sob under the command of coach Jorge Jesus, the home team entered the field under pressure to secure the national trophy in front of their fans this Thursday afternoon.
The confrontation took on a dramatic tone at the beginning of the second half with consecutive goals and the direct intervention of the video assistant referee. Goalkeeper Bento, challenged after failing in the previous classic and absent from Seleção Brasileira’s squad list by Carlo Ancelotti, started among the starters. The Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo shares the leading role in the game with the French Kingsley Coman and Sadio Mané in the offensive sector.
Kingsley Coman extends lead and brings Al-Nassr very close to the national trophy
The second stage started off busy with Al-Nassr maintaining the offensive posture demonstrated at the end of the first 45 minutes. Aos 4 minutes, Spanish defender Iñigo Martínez advanced down the left aisle and delivered a low cross aimed at the penalty area. The Cristiano Ronaldo attacker anticipated the marking and completed the shot, but the Rabea defender managed to divert the ball’s trajectory, sending it across the baseline.
The goal that brought greater peace of mind to the local fans came soon after, exactly 6 minutes into the second half. Kingsley Coman received the ball in the middle, progressed at speed and made a short play with midfielder Al-Khaibari at the edge of the area. The French striker dominated with agility and launched a powerful shot using his left foot, hitting the Kewin goalkeeper’s right corner. The plastically perfect move put the club led by Jorge Jesus in a comfortable position on the scoreboard.
Árbitro signals a penalty with the help of VAR and Sylla reduces the deficit
Damac’s response was quick to come, taking advantage of spaces provided by Al-Nassr’s defensive system after the second goal conceded. Aos 10 minutes, the visiting team won a corner from the right sector of their attack in the middle of the Al Awal Park stadium. Após took a shot at the near post, defender Bedrane rose higher than the defenders and headed the ball dangerously. The shot went very close to the right post defended by goalkeeper Bento, scaring the fans.
In the next play, at 11 minutes, pressure from the visitors resulted in a maximum penalty awarded by the field referee. Bedrane won a new challenge at the top and headed firmly, but the ball found the outstretched right arm of defender Simakan. The main judge was called by the team responsible for the video assistant referee to review the play on the side monitor. Após analyzed the images in detail, the referee confirmed the infraction and issued a yellow card to the French defender of Al-Nassr.
Midfielder Sylla took responsibility for taking the maximum penalty 12 minutes into the second half. Damac’s number 2 calmly ran to the ball and delivered a firm low shot into the right corner. Bento jumped to the right side, but didn’t reach the ball, which ended up in the back of the net. With the goal scored by the midfielder, the visiting team reduced the score and put an apprehension in the duel.
Treinadores promotes mass changes in Al Awal Park during the complementary step
Imediatamente after the goal conceded, Jorge Jesus and the opposing coach started a series of changes in an attempt to oxygenate the teams. Striker Sadio Mané received a yellow card for kicking the ball away after committing a hard foul. Damac made two simultaneous changes to the front line to take advantage of the favorable moment. The coach placed Méïté in Arielson’s place and David Kaiki in Al-Anazi’s place in the offensive sector.
Pelo alongside Al-Nassr, Jorge Jesus recomposed the tactical structure, promoting the entry of striker Naji in place of left defender Rabea. The substitution occurred shortly after defender Harkass received a yellow card for interrupting a play with a foul on João Félix. The game remained truncated in midfield, with Bento intervening in a dangerous low cross made by Al-Anazi before the ball reached the rival attackers.
- Bento started in the main goal even after failing in the previous round against Al-Hilal
- Kingsley Coman scored a beautiful goal with assistance from midfielder Al-Khaibari
- Simakan committed a penalty after touching the ball with his arm after a header in the box
- Sylla converted the maximum penalty by shooting into the right corner of the Brazilian archer
Cristiano Ronaldo scores an incredible free kick and breaks down in tears on the pitch
The moment of greatest explosion in Al Awal Park happened in the 17th minute of the second half in a set piece. João Félix suffered a hard foul on the left side of the penalty area, creating an opportunity with very little direct finishing angle. Cristiano Ronaldo positioned himself on the ball under the watchful eyes of the defenders and fans filling the stadium’s stands.
The Portuguese star ran towards the ball and delivered a spectacular shot using a lot of strength and a pronounced curve effect. The ball covered the wall set up and entered the left corner of goalkeeper Kewin with surgical precision, who jumped in vain. The goal represented the 972nd goal in the athlete’s professional career, bringing him even closer to the historic mark of the 1,000th goal. During the celebration, the attacker collapsed on the pitch and cried profusely while being supported by his teammates.
The game continued with high intensity and Damac tried to respond by attacking the sides of the field to surprise the defense. Aos 23 minutes, Coman received a pass at the edge of the area and launched a very strong shot with his right leg. Brazilian goalkeeper Kewin performed an excellent defensive intervention, spreading the ball to prevent the home team’s fourth goal. The referee ordered a medical break for the athletes to hydrate at 29 minutes due to the heat in Riade.
Portuguese Craque scores the fourth goal after a quick play on the right wing
Following the confrontation, Al-Nassr maintained control of the actions in midfield with precise exchanges of passes between the athletes. Sadio Mané tried an individual play at speed on the left wing in the 31st minute of the second half. The Senegalese striker played a short game with the Frenchman Coman, but the referee ruled that the athlete was offside in the play. João Félix also created a good chance by crossing from the left, but the ball went straight across the touchline.
The goal of definitive tranquility came in the 35th minute of the second half through a quick play built on the right sector. Winger Boushal advanced confidently across the baseline and delivered a precise low pass aimed at the center of the area. Cristiano Ronaldo anticipated the central defender and delivered a first-time shot using his right foot. The ball went low into Kewin’s left corner, increasing the score in favor of the home club.
Linha do tempo brings the main highlights of the electrifying confrontation at Arábia Saudita
The second half of the confrontation brought together capital moves in defining the match valid for the Arábia Saudita national league. The actions concentrated in the final half of the game illustrate the intensity of the duel that is worth the competition cup.
- 00′ 2Q: The referee authorizes the start of the second half at the Al Awal Park stadium
- 06′ 2Q: Kingsley Coman scores after receiving accurate assistance from Al-Khaibari
- 12′ 2Q: Midfielder Sylla converts a penalty awarded with the help of VAR images
- 17′ 2Q: Cristiano Ronaldo scores an incredible free kick and cries a lot on the pitch
- 35′ 2Q: The Portuguese striker scores the fourth goal by completing a cross from Boushal
Após the fourth goal for Al-Nassr, Jorge Jesus promoted the entry of the young midfielder Ângelo in the place of midfielder Yahya in the 38th minute. Damac responded by placing midfielder Al-Sumairi in place of midfielder Okita to try to contain the local team’s attacks. The match continued to be controlled by the home team to the screams of the fans who celebrated the positive result in the stands.