Al-Nassr faced disappointment on Friday evening as they fell to Al-Oruba with a score of 1:2 in the 23rd round of the Saudi Pro League, shocking fans who expected more from the star-studded team.
The match, held at Al-Oruba’s home ground, started energetically, with the home team taking the lead on the 40th minute. A long cross from the left flank found Hamdan Al-Ruwaili, who skillfully set up Mohamed Al-Fatil to strike [exactly] at the angle of the goal, benefiting from the deflection off the post to make it 1-0. Al-Nassr struggled to respond.
The visitors managed to shift momentum when Nawaf Al-Bushail scored the equalizer just six minutes after the break, finishing from close range after receiving Marcelo Brozovic's pass. This was Al-Nassr's moment to capitalize as they looked to secure their position at the top of the league, yet the cost of underestimations hung over them like dark clouds.
Despite having Cristiano Ronaldo on the field for the entire match, Al-Nassr could not convert opportunities. Ronaldo, the record holder for the most goals at 925 throughout his career, had previously displayed dominant scoring ability, yet recent matches have posed challenges. A stark observation noted, “If we take the last four matches of Al-Nassr, Ronaldo managed to score only one goal. One can cautiously say Cristiano has slowed down; previously, he scored 10 goals over nine matches.” These words reflect the changing dynamics for the iconic player who has brought immense talent and fame to the pitch.
After Al-Nassr's moment of hope came, Al-Oruba struck again. On the 65th minute, Gudmundsson delivered for the home side, gliding through the midfield, dribbling, and unleashing from around 30 yards with precision as the ball went past the defenders and rattled the back of the net—2:1 for Al-Oruba. It was the second goal, but this time, the visitors had no answers.
Throughout the match, Al-Nassr had opportunities to regain control, with several attempts on goal thwarted by Al-Oruba's goalkeeper, who displayed remarkable skills. Each corner kick from Angelo failed to yield results, as the keeper managed to deny powerful shots from Brozovic and Simakan consistently.
This defeat marks Al-Nassr's second loss out of the last three matches, raising significant concerns about their consistency as they share third place, struggling against lower-ranking competitors like Al-Oruba, who now stand 11th. Tension mounts as questions arise about the team's ability to secure victories even with players of Ronaldo's caliber gracing the squad.
Ronaldo’s recent form has prompted discussions among fans and analysts alike; could it be time for the Portuguese forward to re-strategize? The team, filled with high expectations, observes the impact on morale after such setbacks, wondering if the star player can reclaim his prior form and lead them back to winning ways.
Al-Nassr now enters the next phase of the season with more pressure than ever. The loss to Al-Oruba serves as a grim reminder of the competitiveness of the Saudi Pro League and the unpredictability of football. Ronaldo and his teammates will aim to regroup, refocus their effort, and rise back to the challenge as they set their eyes on the upcoming matches.