Al-Nassr vs. Al-Fateh 2-0 Match Summary: Ronaldo scores and Al-Nassr chases the top spot
Al-Nassr continued their strong performances in the Saudi Professional League, securing a crucial and well-deserved 2-0 victory over Al-Fateh at Al-Fateh Stadium in Al-Ahsa, in a match that was part of the 22nd round of the competition. This win was more than just three points; it reaffirmed Al-Nassr's determination to fiercely compete for the league title until the very end.
The return of the Don and its immediate impact
The match witnessed the most significant event: the return of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo to the team after missing the previous two rounds. As usual, the "Madeira Rocket" wasted no time in making his mark, opening the scoring early in the 18th minute. The goal was the culmination of a brilliant team effort, with Senegalese star Sadio Mane delivering a clever pass that put Ronaldo in an ideal scoring position. Ronaldo then expertly volleyed the ball into the net, giving the visitors the lead and proving that his absence hadn't affected his prolific goal-scoring instinct.
The course of the match and the intense rivalry
Despite Al-Nassr's lead, Al-Fateh proved a tough opponent, with the home side attempting to equalize on several occasions. Moroccan star Mourad Batna nearly turned the tide, expertly executing a free kick from outside the penalty area. However, a fine save by goalkeeper Pinto and a rebound off the crossbar from Vargas prevented Al-Nassr from conceding, adding an element of excitement and competitiveness to the first half.
Video interventions and substitutions
In the second half, the back-and-forth continued, and Mohammed Simakan found the net for Al-Nassr, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened, disallowing the goal for offside after a review lasting approximately two minutes. However, Al-Nassr's bench proved its strength, as substitute Ayman Yahya secured the victory by scoring the second goal in the 78th minute. The goal came after a precise pass from his teammate Konan, which Yahya received and fired into the net, effectively ending Al-Fateh's hopes of a comeback.
The two teams' positions in the standings
With this positive result, Al-Nassr raised their points tally to 52, strengthening their hold on second place and narrowing the gap with league leaders Al-Hilal to just one point (according to the results of this round), thus intensifying the competition in the upcoming rounds. Meanwhile, Al-Fateh's struggles continued with their ninth defeat of the season, leaving them stuck on 24 points in tenth place, putting the team's coaching staff under considerable pressure to get back on track in the upcoming matches.
