Al Nassr returned to winning ways with a solid 2-0 victory against Al Wehda on February 25, 2025, showing resilience and determination to improve their standing in the Saudi Pro League. Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved his worth, scoring the opening goal and setting the stage for Sadio Mané to seal the match with another goal.
The clash took place at the King Abdulaziz City Stadium, where both teams aimed for three points for very different reasons. Al Nassr was coming off several disappointing results and desperately needed to establish momentum, particularly after their defeat against Al Ettifaq just days earlier. From the outset, Al Wehda appeared as the most favorable opponent, sitting at the bottom of the league table with only three wins from their previous 22 matches.
The game kicked off amid some pre-match drama, as Al Nassr’s bus suffered technical issues, delaying their arrival at the stadium. This meant the match was pushed back by an hour, forcing players to engage in quick warm-ups before taking the field.
Initially, the first half turned out to be cautious and uneventful, with both teams failing to create significant goal-scoring opportunities. Al Nassr dominated possession, yet they maintained little clarity or precision in their attacking moves. Notably, the injury of Aymeric Laporte early on (in the 12th minute) forced manager Stefano Pioli to shuffle his tactics.
But fortunes changed shortly after the halftime break. Just three minutes following the restart, Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock when he connected with a perfect cross from Brazilian winger Ângelo. Ronaldo expertly directed his powerful header past the Al Wehda goalkeeper, Al Owayshir, marking his 925th career goal.
This goal was particularly meaningful for Ronaldo, who hadn't found the back of the net for two consecutive matches prior, as he sought to reach the historic milestone of 1,000 career goals. Ronaldo's resurgence sparked not only excitement among fans but also revitalized the team’s spirit.
Despite taking the lead, Al Nassr faced challenging moments as Al Wehda sought to generate their own scoring chances. Al Wehda's efforts, though, were thwarted by Al Nassr's solid defense, who managed to contain their attacks without undue stress.
The match rounded out with the tension rising as it entered injury time. When Ronaldo earned a free kick, he aimed for another chance to score but his shot struck the wall. A brief review revealed the ball inadvertently hit the arm of a defender, leading to the referee awarding Al Nassr a penalty.
Ronaldo made the selfless decision to allow Sadio Mané to take the spot-kick, showcasing his team-first mentality. Mané successfully converted the penalty, bringing the score to 2-0 and marking the end of the match.
With this victory, Al Nassr solidified their position within the league standings, closing the gap between themselves and the top teams like Al Ittihad and Al Hilal, who led with 55 and 51 points, respectively. Al Nassr now sits at 48 points, firmly maintaining hopes for a title challenge.
Ronaldo’s prolific scoring record continues, as he leads the league with 17 goals from 21 matches, recently edging out his former teammate, Karim Benzema, who has 16 goals. This latest performance not only highlights Ronaldo's unwavering brilliance but also emphasizes his pivotal role within the squad.
Looking forward, Al Nassr is set to face Al Orobah next Friday before they pivot to the AFC Champions League's knockout stages against Esteghlal. The upcoming matches will be pivotal for the team as they explore all avenues to return to winning form, both domestically and internationally.
Beyond individual accolades, the team’s unity and will to succeed spotlight both Ronaldo and Mané’s collaborative on-field chemistry, which will be tested as they move forward through the challenges of the season. For now, the focus remains positively on the next match, building from the momentum gained after the well-earned victory over Al Wehda.