Al Nassr came into this match under pressure from a negative run of results and with the clear awareness that the title was practically out of reach. Against a fragile Al Shabab, the obligation was to win and, if possible, to win convincingly in order to regain some confidence. The start seemed to confirm that scenario. After just 2 minutes, an own goal by Balobaid, following a good initiative from João Félix, put Al Nassr ahead. Shortly after, in the 8th minute, Coman scored a spectacular bicycle kick and the 2-0 created the feeling that the game had been decided far too early.
But that feeling did not last long. Despite the comfortable lead, Al Nassr never truly controlled the game. The team dropped in intensity, began to make mistakes in the build-up and allowed Al Shabab to have more of the ball than expected. Bento showed insecurity in several actions, misjudging exits from goal and transmitting nervousness to the defensive line.
Al Shabab, without creating much, gradually grew in confidence and were eventually rewarded. In the 31st minute, Simakan scored an own goal after a well-worked move down the left, and the 2-1 brought justice to what was starting to be seen on the pitch. An Al Nassr comfortable on the scoreboard, but fragile in their play.
The first half ends with numbers that expose exactly that. Few clear chances, low xG for both sides and an Al Nassr team that, despite scoring twice, delivered a poor collective performance. Al Shabab went into the break alive and with the feeling that they could get more from the game.
In the second half, that feeling became reality. Al Shabab came out better, more aggressive and with greater attacking presence.
Carrasco took control of the game, Carlos Jr. began to exploit space well and Al Nassr revealed a glaring inability to react. In the 53rd minute, Carlos Jr. equalised after a pass from Carrasco and a clear marking error, with Inigo slipping and Bento having no chance. The 2-2 is harsh for Al Nassr, but completely consistent with what was happening on the pitch.
Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix, expected to step up at this moment, failed to make a difference. Little involvement, little decisiveness and clearly out of the game when the team most needed attacking leadership. Up to the 60th minute, Al Shabab were clearly the better side in the second half.
The sending off of Sierro in the 68th minute changed the context. With a numerical advantage, Al Nassr pushed the game back into the attacking half, but still without much clarity. The winning goal came in the 76th minute from a scrappy situation, with Ghareeb finishing after a rebound, a goal more fortunate than well constructed. A goal that wins the match, but solves none of the problems.
Until the final whistle, Al Nassr had more of the ball, but remained predictable. Cristiano missed chances with his head and from outside the box, João Félix once again went largely unnoticed and Al Shabab still tried to cause problems, but without success.
Post-match
The result is better than the performance. Al Nassr win because they played more than 20 minutes with a numerical advantage and because they benefited from a lucky goal. Collectively, the team remains fragile, without emotional control, without command of the game and dependent on isolated moments. Defending a 2-0 lead in this way, against a team fighting relegation, is worrying.
Al Shabab leave defeated, but enhanced. They showed courage, personality, good game understanding and were clearly superior for long periods while the game was played with equal numbers. Al Nassr take the three points, but once again leave a poor image, far from what is expected of a team with this squad.