On March 15, 2025, Al-Nassr clinched victory over Al-Holud with a convincing scoreline during the 25th round of the Saudi Arabian Pro League, held at Al-Awwal Park, Er-Riyadh. Esteemed players Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane were key contributors to this triumph, enhancing Al-Nassr's position as they aim for the top spots in the league.
The match unfolded dramatically, starting with Ronaldo making his mark only four minutes after the kickoff. The Portuguese superstar collected a deflected shot from John Duran and expertly placed it to the lower corner of the net, celebrating his 928th career goal. This early goal set the tone for Al-Nassr's performance.
Sadio Mane doubled the lead for Al-Nassr on the 26th minute. Following another precise pass from Ronaldo to Salem Al-Naji on the left wing, Al-Naji delivered the ball across the box, allowing Mane to tap it securely past the keeper. By the time the first half concluded, Al-Nassr was firmly in control with a 3-0 lead. John Duran found the net just before halftime, capitalizing on Angelo Gabriel's assist to seal the first half's scoreline.
Six minutes after the break, Al-Nassr faced adversity as defender Nawaf Al-Bushaile received two yellow cards, resulting in his dismissal from the match. This pivotal turning point required Al-Nassr to adjust their game plan. Coach Stefano Pioli reacted quickly with triple substitutions, aiming to stabilize the team's performance.
Despite the red card, Al-Nassr maintained offensive pressure, but Al-Holud found their moment to shine on the 72nd minute when Ali Lazhami inadvertently directed the ball toward his own goal, reducing Al-Holud’s deficit to 3-1. The own goal amplified Al-Holud's efforts to fight back, igniting hope among their supporters.
Throughout the match, Al-Holud struggled to keep pace with Al-Nassr's rhythm. They had one goal disallowed earlier when Jackson Muleka found the back of the net; unfortunately, it was called back for offside. The disallowed goal proved to be pivotal as Al-Holud's attempts to claw back the game remained futile against Al-Nassr's resolute defense.
After Ronaldo was substituted out for Ayman Yahya on the 61st minute, fans and analysts alike were reminded of his enduring impact on the pitch. His performance, alongside Mane's contributions, confirmed Al-Nassr's attacking prowess. The victory saw Al-Nassr climb to third place in the league standings, now boasting 51 points, with Al-Holud remaining tenth with 31 points.
Looking forward, Al-Nassr is set to face Al-Khaleej on April 4, as they hope to build on their current form. Al-Holud, meanwhile, will welcome Al-Taawoun at their home ground on the same day, eager to bounce back from their recent loss.
This latest win for Al-Nassr should serve as motivation heading toward the latter stages of the season, and with Ronaldo and Mane firing on all cylinders, their fans undoubtedly anticipate more exciting matches to come.