Ronaldo Leads Al-Nassr to Another Comeback
Al-Nassr continued their remarkable form in the Saudi Pro League, securing a 2-1 comeback victory over Al-Fayha on Saturday to extend their winning streak to seven matches and remain at the top of the table.
Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo once again stole the spotlight, scoring both goals for his side — the first in the 37th minute and the decisive second from the penalty spot in stoppage time (90+12’).
Al-Fayha had taken an early lead through Spaniard Jason, who struck a powerful effort on the counter to put the visitors ahead.
The victory lifted Al-Nassr to 21 points, three clear of second-placed Al-Taawon, while Al-Fayha stayed in 10th place with 8 points.
Jesus’s Tactical Changes Pay Off
Manager Jorge Jesus made several adjustments to the starting lineup after the midweek King’s Cup match against Al-Ittihad.
Defender Abdul-Ilah Al-Amri replaced the injured Mohamed Simakan, while Marcelo Brozović returned to midfield.
Despite an early scare from Al-Fayha’s Jason in the 4th minute — whose shot forced a sharp save from goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi — Al-Nassr quickly imposed their rhythm.
Frenchman Kingsley Coman and Portuguese teammate João Félix both came close before Jason’s counterattack gave Al-Fayha a surprise lead in the 12th minute.
Ronaldo Turns the Tide
After a disallowed goal by Coman for offside, Ronaldo equalized in the 37th minute, racing behind the defense and firing powerfully into the bottom corner — his seventh goal of the season.
Al-Nassr dominated possession throughout the second half but struggled to break down Al-Fayha’s compact defense.
Ronaldo missed a clear chance to take the lead before Sultan Al-Ghannam made a heroic last-minute block to deny a near-certain goal from Fashion Sakala.
The 102nd-Minute Winner
As the match appeared destined for a draw, the referee awarded Al-Nassr a penalty after reviewing a foul on Abdul-Ilah Al-Amri via VAR.
Stepping up with trademark composure, Ronaldo drilled the ball into the bottom left corner in the 102nd minute, sparking wild celebrations at Al-Awwal Park.
The brace not only secured Al-Nassr’s seventh consecutive win, but also pushed Ronaldo to the top of the Saudi League scoring charts.
Post-Match Reactions
Manager Jorge Jesus praised his captain’s leadership:
“Cristiano always delivers in decisive moments. His mentality drives the entire team forward.”
Ronaldo, meanwhile, thanked the fans:
“We fought until the end. The spirit of this team is incredible — we never give up.”
Team Stats Snapshot (Saudi Pro League 2025/26)
| Team | Position | Points | Wins | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded | Streak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Nassr | 1st | 21 | 7 | 18 | 7 | W7 |
| Al-Taawon | 2nd | 18 | 6 | 12 | 5 | W3 |
| Al-Hilal | 3rd | 16 | 5 | 14 | 8 | W2 |
| Al-Fayha | 10th | 8 | 2 | 7 | 12 | L2 |
Key Takeaways
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Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr to a dramatic comeback with his seventh and eighth goals of the season.
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Al-Nassr record their seventh straight win, remaining unbeaten since the start of the campaign.
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Al-Fayha’s defensive resilience crumbled under late pressure in stoppage time.
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