Al Nassr win again as Joao Felix shines in a 4-1 triumph over Al Khaleej
Al Nassr win again in the Saudi Pro League, extending their perfect campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Al Khaleej at Al-Awwal Park. The win, powered by standout performances from Joao Felix, Wesley Teixeira, Sadio Mane, and Cristiano Ronaldo, pushed the league leaders to 27 points from 9 matches, four clear of Al Hilal.
Felix opened the scoring before assisting the second, while Mane and Ronaldo sealed the win with goals in the final stages. Despite Al Khaleej briefly threatening a comeback, Al Nassr’s attacking firepower proved too much.
Early Control and Missed Chances
Despite missing Kingsley Coman through injury, Jorge Jesus’ side began aggressively. Joao Felix, lively from the first whistle, set up multiple early attempts for Cristiano Ronaldo, who fired wide twice and saw another shot saved by keeper Anthony Morris.
Al Nassr’s front line kept pressing, with Ayman Yahya—returning from injury—providing width on the left side, while Mane and Angelo created overloads in midfield.
Felix Leads the Way
The breakthrough came in the 39th minute. Angelo pounced on a defensive mistake, surged down the flank, and squared the ball perfectly to Joao Felix, who finished coolly to make it 1-0.
Just moments later, Felix pressed again, won the ball high up the pitch, and teed up Wesley Teixeira, who struck a clinical low shot into the net in the 42nd minute to double the lead.
Al Khaleej nearly responded before the break, but goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi produced a brilliant stop in the 37th minute to keep the scoreline intact.
Al Khaleej Strike Back Early
The second half began with a shock. In the 47th minute, Murad Hawsawi capitalised on a loose ball at the edge of the box, firing a powerful left-footed strike past Al-Aqidi, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
For several minutes, Al Nassr looked unsettled, with Al-Khaleej threatening an equaliser. Al-Aqidi stood firm, denying dangerous efforts from Kourbelis and Masouras to preserve the lead.
Ronaldo then missed a golden one-on-one chance in the 60th minute, shooting straight at Morris as frustration grew.
Mane Restores Control
Coach Jorge Jesus responded with tactical changes, bringing on Nawaf Boushal and Abdullah Al-Khaibari to stabilise midfield and defence.
The adjustments worked. In the 77th minute, Sadio Mane latched onto a clever ball from Boushal and smashed in Al Nassr’s third goal, finally calming the home crowd.
Ronaldo’s Late Magic
Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal ruled out for offside in the 88th minute, but he kept pushing until the final moment.
In stoppage time—six minutes beyond regulation—Ronaldo met a precise Boushal cross and finished with a spectacular acrobatic backheel, sealing a stunning fourth goal and completing the 4-1 triumph. The strike added another highlight to his blistering start to the season.
