Sadio Mane got here to Al-Nassr’s rescue for the second time this week because the Professional League title challengers edged out Al-Ittihad regardless of Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence.
Ronaldo remained on strike as his protest towards the administration of the membership – and what he perceives because the preferential therapy provided to rivals Al-Hilal – continued right into a second recreation.
The Portugal striker’s identify was conspicuous by its absence when the group sheets had been revealed and the saga is about to proceed till peace talks discover a decision.
Within the meantime, Mane continues to prop up Jorge Jesus’ aspect.
Having netted the winner towards Al-Riyadh on Monday, the Senegal star proved the decisive determine right here as nicely, scoring from the penalty spot with six minutes to go. Angelo netted a breakaway second in injury-time to maneuver Al-Nassr again inside a degree of leaders Al-Hilal.
Followers maintain up Ronaldo banner to point out their assist
Ronaldo is probably not feeling the love from Al-Nassr chiefs – and, particularly, majority homeowners the Saudi Arabian Public Funding Fund – however the Riyadh crowd confirmed their assist with banners and playing cards within the seventh minute that displayed the participant’s identify and quantity.
The 41-year-old’s absence was actually having an influence on the sector with Al-Ittihad, taking part in with out Karim Benzema, whose transfer to Al-Hilal proved the ultimate straw for Ronaldo, making a lot of the early operating.
The guests thought they’d a penalty within the tenth minute when Mohamed Simakan appeared to deal with within the space however referee Slavko Vincic dominated in Al-Nassr’s favour.
One other Al-Ittihad penalty shout was waved away shortly after earlier than the house aspect lastly strung just a few passes collectively, Joao Felix and Mane combining properly earlier than defender Hassan Kadish did nicely to get the block in.
Houssem Aouar got here shut with a header for Al-Ittihad whereas house goalkeeper Bento needed to be alert to parry clear a shot from Moussa Diaby.
Predrag Rajkovic additionally excelled within the Al-Ittihad objective earlier than half-time with an acrobatic save to maintain out a deflected effort from Marcelo Brozovic.
Rajkovic denied Felix after 50 minutes and just some nice defending from Mario Mitaj prevented Kingsley Coman from changing Mane’s cross.
The opening objective lastly got here late on when Vincic adjudged Mohammed Barnawi had dealt with substitute Aiman Yahya’s shot and Mane made no mistake from the spot.
Al-Ittihad dedicated males ahead in the hunt for an equaliser however had been caught out within the sixth minute of damage time when a swift counter assault was completed by Angelo.
