Cristiano Ronaldo’s close-range end 4 minutes into the second half accomplished a dramatic comeback as Al Nassr recovered from a shock first-half deficit to beat Al Taawoun 2-1 at Alawwal Park and preserve their excellent begin to the Saudi Pro League season.
Ange Postecoglou’s star-studded facet had been caught chilly within the eleventh minute when Bassam Al-Hurayji stabbed residence from shut vary to offer the guests an surprising lead, however Samu Costa’s stoppage-time equaliser after which Ronaldo’s predatory instincts set them on their approach.
Al Nassr had gone into the match as heavy favourites and had made a blistering begin to the season, successful every of their three earlier league video games, however Al Taawoun confirmed early ambition that unsettled the hosts.
Younes El Bahraoui labored Nawaf Al-Aqidi, the backup goalkeeper standing in for the suspended Bento, contained in the opening half hour, and the shock purpose got here when the guests labored a neat transfer down the suitable and Al-Hurayji arrived to fit residence from very shut vary.
Al Nassr pressed arduous for the equaliser and Sadio Mane was probably the most persistent menace, driving repeatedly on the visiting defence and forcing Mailson into a pointy save.
It took a second of high quality from Samu Costa to revive parity simply earlier than the interval. The Portugal midfielder, making solely his second begin for the membership since his summer time arrival, obtained the ball 25 yards from purpose from Mane’s lay-off and struck a composed drive into the underside nook to degree within the fifth minute of added time.
Inside 5 minutes of the restart, Mohamed Simakan attacked a nook supply and turned the ball into Ronaldo’s path contained in the six-yard field.
The 41-year-old reacted first and guided the ball excessive into the online for what proved to be the winner.
Ronaldo was withdrawn within the eightieth minute, by which level Al Nassr had already survived just a few anxious moments.
Mane struck the left put up with Felix’s help having seemed sure to attain, whereas Mailson continued to make himself troublesome to beat on the different finish.
Al-Taawoun pressed for an equaliser within the closing phases however discovered no approach via in opposition to a facet that, even on a below-par afternoon, carries sufficient particular person high quality to discover a approach to win.
