Augustine MuthuriKing Abdullah Sports City witnessed a thrilling encounter on Thursday evening as Al-Nassr narrowly escaped with a 3-2 victory against a determined Al-Ahli side. While the spotlight often shines on Cristiano Ronaldo, this match belonged to Colombian forward Jhon Duran, whose two goals proved crucial in securing the win. The victory keeps Al-Nassr in contention for the league title, but it was a nervy affair, particularly with Ronaldo having an unusually quiet game.
Al-Nassr’s plans were disrupted early on when Otavio pulled up with a hamstring injury just 20 minutes into the match. The Brazilian midfielder’s absence was a blow to their midfield stability. However, the attacking trio of Ronaldo, Duran, and Sadio Mane remained a potent threat. It was Duran who drew first blood for Al-Nassr, showcasing his clinical finishing after a delightful give-and-go with Ayman Yahya. The goal, a testament to Duran’s growing confidence, highlighted his ability to link up effectively with his teammates. Al-Nassr continued to press, and just before the halftime whistle, Ronaldo nearly doubled the lead, his shot whistling narrowly past the far post. It was a frustrating moment for the Portuguese star, who otherwise struggled to make his mark on the game.
The second half descended into chaos. Within minutes of the restart, Al-Ahli thought they had leveled the score, but the goal was quickly disallowed. Adding insult to injury, Mohamed Simakan was shown a red card for an elbow on Ivan Toney in the lead-up to the disallowed goal. While the contact appeared minimal, Toney’s theatrical reaction convinced the referee to send Simakan off. The incident sparked a period of intense pressure from Al-Ahli, who, despite being down to ten men, were determined to find an equalizer. Their persistence paid off when Toney finally found the back of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
However, Al-Nassr’s response was swift and decisive. Yahya, who had earlier assisted Duran’s goal, turned scorer, restoring Al-Nassr’s lead almost immediately. The goal seemed to deflate Al-Ahli’s spirited fightback, and Duran then produced a moment of magic. Receiving the ball just beyond the halfway line, he nutmegged his marker, dribbled past another defender with ease, and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. It was a goal of individual brilliance, showcasing Duran’s skill and composure. The two-goal cushion seemed to give Al-Nassr control, but the drama wasn’t over yet. Deep into stoppage time, Aumayhan Al-Nabit pulled a goal back for Al-Ahli, setting up a tense final few minutes. However, Al-Nassr held on to secure the victory.
While Al-Nassr celebrated the three points, the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo will be a concern for manager Stefano Pioli. The veteran forward looked out of sorts, failing to influence the game in his usual manner. In contrast, Jhon Duran’s performance was a breath of fresh air. His two goals were not only crucial but also demonstrated his potential to become a key player for Al-Nassr. The red card for Simakan was a turning point in the match, but Al-Ahli’s resilience, even with ten men, deserves credit. They pushed Al-Nassr all the way and almost snatched a point. Al-Nassr now face a quick turnaround as they prepare for their AFC Champions League clash against Persepolis on Monday. They will need to improve their performance, particularly in midfield and attack, if they are to progress in the competition.
