The context pushed Al Nassr into a must-win night. With Al Hilal dropping points again, the trip to face Al Kholood stopped being just another theoretically accessible away game and became one of those fixtures that define championships: win and keep the dream alive, or slip where you simply cannot afford to.
On the other side was an Al Kholood side fragile at home, defensively weak throughout the season, but that stepped onto the pitch without hiding. The 5-4-1 was clear, but it wasn’t a suicidal low block. There was intention to play, to cross, to cause some discomfort, even if with very little quality in the final third.
The start of the game was strange. Al Nassr had the ball, had territory, but never had real control. In the 4th minute, Ângelo found Félix in a central area, but the shot was easy for Cozzani. A minute later came the best chance of the first half: a through ball, a terrible decision by Al Kholood’s goalkeeper to rush out, Félix squared it to Ronaldo, the turn was perfect, the finish too… but Camara cleared it off the line.
The game never found rhythm in the first half. Al Nassr attacked without inspiration, lacked movement between the lines, and Mané was clearly out of the game. João Félix, without being brilliant, was the one constantly trying to offer something different: finding pockets between the lines, taking set pieces, looking for short combinations. It wasn’t a great performance, but he was the clearest sign of creative life.
Bento’s moment in the 16th minute was almost unbelievable: a simple reception, plenty of time, and he nearly gifts an own goal. He is limited with the ball at his feet, and once again that was brutally exposed.
The first half dragged on. Little entertainment, little real intensity, and a lot of slow, chewed-up football.
Right after the restart, at 46’, a defensive error from Al Kholood, Félix reacts quickly and smashes the ball against the crossbar. The warning was there. One minute later, the goal arrives. A well-timed run, a smart pass into space for Félix, head up, and Cristiano Ronaldo appears exactly where he always does. Tap-in. Simple. Career goal number 961, his 17th in the league, level with Quiñones in the scoring charts, and the game changes right there.
Once the deadlock was broken, Al Kholood collapsed emotionally. Al Nassr finally found space. In the 53rd minute came another blow: a well-delivered corner by João Félix and Simakan attacked the ball with authority. Perfect movement, clean header, 2-0. Two goals in six minutes that settled a match that had felt trapped in an irritating stalemate.
From that point on, dominance was total. Al Kholood stopped existing offensively, felt the weight of the scoreline and the individual gap. Cristiano began to enjoy himself: dribble down the left, nutmeg included, pause, cut-back. Félix tried a backheel inside the box — pure talent — and only Cozzani prevented a highlight-reel goal.
The red card for Hatan Bahbri in the 72nd minute definitively closed the story. It’s a debatable decision, yes, more a gesture of frustration than clear aggression, but in the VAR era these movements are punished harshly. With a numerical advantage, Al Nassr shifted into management mode.
Cristiano still looked for another goal, demanded the ball, provoked, stayed involved. He left the pitch in the 79th minute with the job done, in a game where he wasn’t dominant, but he was decisive. The possible penalty on Coman was confirmed, and in the 87th minute the Frenchman sealed the score from the spot.
Post-match
This was not a great Al Nassr performance. It was an effective one, mature at the right moment and decided in the second half.
João Félix came out enhanced: two assists, constant involvement, creativity and personality. He didn’t score, but he was the team’s attacking brain. Simakan was solid at the back and decisive up front. Cristiano Ronaldo did what he always does: showed up when it mattered, scored, led, and left with numbers.
Al Nassr fulfilled its obligation, closed the gap on Al Hilal and reignited the title race. It doesn’t dazzle, but it keeps adding points.
Al Kholood showed intent in the first half, but ultimately revealed all the limitations their league position reflects. They suffered and then switched off. When the game accelerated, they couldn’t keep up.
A fair win, but without sparkle.