Al Nassr faced a tough time on the pitch as they played without their star player Cristiano Ronaldo. His absence was clearly felt, leading to a disappointing performance in a crucial match. The team now faces pressure to bounce back.
Ronaldo’s Absence Hurts Al Nassr Again
Al Nassr could not keep up their winning streak as they were held to a 1-1 draw by mid-table side Al Taawon in the Saudi Pro League on Friday night. Despite scoring a record-breaking 9-0 victory in their last match without Cristiano Ronaldo, this time the Portuguese superstar’s absence made a big difference.
Otavio Scores, But Al Nassr Can’t Hold Lead
Bright Start in Riyadh
The match was played in Riyadh, with Al Nassr starting strongly. They had control of the game for most of the first half, and fans were hopeful for another strong performance. In the second half, Otavio gave Al Nassr the lead. The Portuguese midfielder headed in a goal from a corner in the 51st minute, putting the home team ahead 1-0.
Al Taawon Fights Back
Al Taawon, sitting mid-table, didn’t give up easily. They found their rhythm later in the game and pushed forward to score. In the 70th minute, Roger Martinez equalized for the visitors with a powerful shot that beat the Al Nassr goalkeeper. The score stayed 1-1 until the final whistle.
Draw Hurts Al Nassr’s League Position
Champions League Hopes at Risk
This draw came at a crucial time for Al Nassr. They now sit in fourth place on the league table with 64 points. Just above them, Al Qadsia are in third place with 65 points after beating Al Wehda 3-1 on Thursday. With only two games left in the season, Al Nassr are in danger of missing out on a top-three finish. That’s important because finishing in the top three is necessary to qualify for the AFC Champions League next season.
Ronaldo’s Return Needed Urgently
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been missing from the squad, is clearly a key part of Al Nassr’s success. His goal-scoring ability and leadership on the field were deeply missed in this match. The team will be hoping he can return quickly to help them in the final matches of the season.
Al Ittihad Takes the Title Early
Benzema Leads Al Ittihad to Victory
While Al Nassr struggled, their rivals Al Ittihad had reason to celebrate. Led by former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, Al Ittihad came from behind to beat Al Rayed 3-1 on Thursday. They were down 1-0 early in the match but turned the game around with a strong performance. This victory sealed the Saudi Pro League title for Al Ittihad, with two matches still left to play.
What’s Next for Al Nassr?
Two Matches Left to Make It Count
Al Nassr now has just two more games to play this season. They must win both matches and hope Al Qadsia drops points if they want to finish in the top three. With Ronaldo possibly returning, fans are hoping for a strong finish.
Pressure Mounts on the Squad
The players and coaching staff are under pressure to deliver in these final games. Every point matters, and they cannot afford another slip-up if they want to play in Asia’s top club competition next year.
Final Thoughts
Al Nassr’s draw against Al Taawon has made their path to the AFC Champions League more difficult. Without Cristiano Ronaldo, the team looked less sharp and struggled to finish strong. With two crucial games left, Al Nassr must regroup and fight to secure their place among the top three teams. Fans will be hoping to see their star player back on the pitch soon to lead them to a strong end to the season.