Al Nassr delivered a resounding statement in the Saudi Pro League title race with a commanding 3-0 win over Al Kholood at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on January 30, 2026. With Cristiano Ronaldo back in the starting lineup after a brief injury scare, the Riyadh-based side showed their class, cutting the gap to league leaders Al Hilal to just three points and reclaiming second place in the standings.
All eyes were on Ronaldo ahead of kickoff. The Portuguese superstar had missed several training sessions during the week due to muscle fatigue, prompting concern among fans and pundits alike. According to Arriyadhiyah, "The absence was attributed to physical fatigue, with the coaching staff opting for caution rather than risk." Ultimately, the coaching staff decided to start Ronaldo, a move that paid immediate dividends for Jorge Jesus and his squad.
Al Nassr entered the contest riding a three-match winning streak, determined to keep pace with the relentless Al Hilal. The starting eleven featured Bento in goal; a backline of Sultan, Simakan, Martinez, and Saad; a midfield anchored by Al Hassan, Angelo, and Coman; and a potent attack with Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, and Ronaldo up front. The only major absentee was Marcelo Brozovic, sidelined due to injury, but Sadio Mane made his return after recovering from a knock, logging significant minutes in the previous match against Al Taawoun.
The hosts, managed by Des Buckingham, fielded a near full-strength lineup, with Argentine striker Ramiro Enrique leading the line. Al Kholood, sitting in 14th place with 15 points and fighting to avoid relegation, knew they needed a result to steer clear of the drop zone. Their starting XI included Cozzani in goal; Solan, Gyomber, Pinas, and Al-Shahri in defense; Al-Aliwa, N’Doram, Buckley, and Sawaan in midfield; and Enrique and Bahbri up top.
From the opening whistle, Al Nassr asserted their dominance. Within the first six minutes, Ronaldo nearly opened the scoring, only to see his shot at an empty net heroically cleared off the line by a young Al Kholood defender. The Knights of Najd kept pressing, with Joao Felix orchestrating attacks and Coman threatening from the flanks. Al Kholood, for their part, showed resilience, with goalkeeper Juan Pablo Cozzani making several key saves to keep the scoreline level in the first half. Mane even found the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside after a swift VAR check.
Despite Al Nassr’s relentless pressure, the first half ended goalless. Al Kholood, buoyed by their defensive efforts, looked to build on their occasional forays forward, while Al Nassr regrouped with an eye toward breaking the deadlock. The halftime statistics told the story: Al Nassr controlled possession and chances, but Al Kholood’s defense, marshaled by Gyomber and Pinas, held firm—at least for the opening 45 minutes.
The second half began with renewed urgency from Al Nassr. It didn’t take long for them to find the breakthrough. In the 47th minute, a flowing move saw Angelo feed Felix inside the box. The Portuguese midfielder cut the ball back for Ronaldo, who tapped home from close range. It was Ronaldo’s 16th goal of the Saudi Pro League season and his 17th in all competitions, keeping him firmly in the Golden Boot race, though just behind Ivan Toney (18) and Julián Quiñones (17).
Joao Felix, who had been pulling the strings all night, turned provider again just six minutes later. His well-placed corner found Mohamed Simakan, who rose above the defense to power a header into the net at the 53rd minute. Simakan celebrated his first league goal of the season, and Al Nassr’s lead was suddenly doubled, leaving Al Kholood with a mountain to climb.
Al Kholood’s hopes of a comeback were dashed in the 72nd minute when captain Hattan Bahebri was shown a straight red card for an apparent elbow on Simakan. The decision, made after a VAR review, left the hosts a man down and struggling to contain Al Nassr’s attacking waves. The home crowd voiced their frustration, but the numerical disadvantage proved insurmountable.
As the clock wound down, Al Nassr continued to push forward. In the 87th minute, Kingsley Coman was brought down in the box by Solan, earning a penalty. With Ronaldo having been substituted off earlier, Coman stepped up to the spot and coolly converted, sending Cozzani the wrong way and sealing a comprehensive 3-0 victory for the visitors.
The final whistle confirmed Al Nassr’s third consecutive league win, moving them to 43 points from 18 matches—just three behind Al Hilal’s 46. The Knights of Najd also leapfrogged Al Ahli by virtue of more wins and a superior goal difference. Al Kholood, meanwhile, remained stuck on 15 points in 14th place, facing a tough relegation battle as the season enters its crucial stages.
For Ronaldo, the goal was yet another milestone in his storied career. He now sits at 961 career strikes, inching closer to the mythical 1,000-goal mark. "Now Cristiano Ronaldo needs 39 more goals to reach his thousandth," noted One Football. The Golden Boot race, however, remains fiercely contested, with Ivan Toney and Julián Quiñones hot on his heels. Still, Ronaldo’s influence on Al Nassr’s title push is undeniable. As reported, "Ronaldo’s presence remains vital for the visitors’ title ambitions. He currently leads the team with 17 goals and three assists in 21 appearances across all competitions this season, continuing to serve as the cornerstone of the Riyadh-based side."
Joao Felix’s performance also deserves special mention. With two assists on the night, he played a pivotal role in unlocking Al Kholood’s defense and showcased why he is one of the league’s most creative forces. Simakan and Coman, too, stepped up when it mattered, ensuring Al Nassr’s attacking arsenal remains as formidable as ever.
Looking ahead, Al Nassr will travel to face Al Riyadh on February 2, 2026, aiming to maintain their momentum and keep the pressure on Al Hilal. Al Kholood, desperate to halt their slide, will visit Damac the following day in a crucial clash near the foot of the table.
This victory not only keeps Al Nassr firmly in the title hunt but also sends a clear message to their rivals: with Ronaldo fit and firing, and a talented supporting cast hitting their stride, the Knights of Najd are far from done in this year’s championship chase. The Saudi Pro League race is heating up, and fans can expect plenty more drama as the season unfolds.