Ronaldo guide Al-Nassr to Victory against Al-Ahli in Saudi League
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty goal to lead Al-Nassr to a 1-0 victory over hosts Al-Ahli, regaining their winning streak in the Saudi Professional League on Friday.
The team managed by coach Luis Castro, who secured the win after one loss and one draw in the league, reached 56 points, 9 points ahead of Al-Hilal, who will face Damac on Saturday. Al-Ahli remained at 47 points in third place.
Ronaldo scored the only goal of the match in the 68th minute from a penalty kick awarded by the referee following a foul by Roger Ibanez, the Al-Ahli defender, on Sami Al-Najai.
Ronaldo became the third player to score in both the first and second matches between Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr after his injured teammate Anderson Talisca and his former team player Mohammed Al-Sahli.
Frank Kessie had the opportunity to equalize the score five minutes before the end with a header, but David Ospina, the Al-Nassr goalkeeper, easily saved it.
Al-Taawoun Draws with Al-Ittifaq
Al-Ittifaq drew 1-1 with their visitors Al-Taawoun, raising their points to 22 but remaining in the 16th position, one point away from the safety zone, while Al-Ittifaq collected 35 points to temporarily advance to the sixth position.
Carl Toko Ekambi scored the opening goal for Al-Ittifaq in the 18th minute after receiving a cross from Hamdan Al-Shammari to put it in the net from a close range.
Vergil Misidjan equalized for Al-Taawoun in the fourth minute of stoppage time in the first half when he received a long play inside the penalty area and struck it forcefully into the net.
Draw Between Riyadh and Al-Fayha
Riyadh forced a 1-1 draw against their hosts Al-Fayha, with Al-Fayha raising their points to 32 in the eighth position, while Riyadh occupies the 14th position with 24 points.
Al-Fayha scored in the 30th minute when Henry Onyekuru advanced towards the goal and unleashed a low shot that found the Riyadh’s net.
Then, Noulde Moussona equalized for Riyadh in the 64th minute with a powerful shot from a close range.