Al-Nassr celebrated a significant victory over Al-Raed with a score of 2-1 during their match on January 30, 2025, which took place at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia. This important win allowed Al-Nassr to temporarily rise to third place in the Saudi Pro League standings, reflecting their solid performance as they compete for the championship.
Both teams entered the match under contrasting circumstances. Al-Nassr, managed by Stefano Pioli, was looking to extend its winning streak after securing consecutive victories against Al-Fateh and Al-Khaleej. Meanwhile, Al-Raed, struggling at the bottom of the league table, was desperate to snap their streak of six defeats.
Fans were eager to see how the match would play out, especially with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo leading the Al-Nassr lineup. The first half showcased Ronaldo’s skill and determination. He opened the scoring for his team at the 35-minute mark, taking advantage of an excellent set-up by fellow midfielder Marcelo Brozovic. The Portuguese legend calmly slotted the ball past the Al-Raed keeper, giving Al-Nassr the early lead.
"Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first goal for Al-Nassr and provided the assist for the second goal," reported SSC.
Just after the second half commenced, Al-Nassr doubled their advantage. Nuwaf Bouchal found the back of the net only two minutes after the restart, capitalizing on the momentum from their first goal to solidify their control over the match. Early scoring opportunities for both teams indicated Al-Nassr's aggressiveness, marking them as clear contenders.
Al-Raed, now trailing by two goals, sought to find a foothold back in the game. Despite facing challenges, they pushed forward and were rewarded for their efforts at the 76-minute mark when Amir Sayoud made the most of Al-Nassr's defensive lapses to net their first goal. This goal, though not enough to turn the tide, injected excitement and hope among Al-Raed supporters.
"Al-Raed reduced the deficit with Amr Sayoud scoring," reported SSC. Yet, the come-back attempts by Al-Raed were thwarted by Al-Nassr's disciplined defense and goalkeeping.
With the competitive nature of the match kept alive until the final whistle, Al-Nassr managed to hold onto their slender lead and walk away triumphant. The match’s outcome was not only pivotal for Al-Nassr's aspirations but also exacerbated Al-Raed's battle against relegation. With this victory, Al-Nassr propelled themselves to third place with 38 points, closing the gap between themselves and other title contenders like Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad.
"Al-Raed remains under pressure at the bottom of the league, currently at 15th with 14 points," highlighted SSC, emphasizing the challenges the club faces moving forward.
Al-Nassr’s performance was marked by not just Ronaldo’s leadership but also contributions from other players, indicating their collective strength. Looking forward, they will need to maintain this momentum as they prepare for their next challenge against Al-Wasl from the Emirates on February 3, aiming for another victory to solidify their strong position.