In a thrilling showdown at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Al-Nassr triumphed over city rivals Al-Hilal with a commanding 3-1 victory in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday, April 5, 2025. The match was highlighted by Cristiano Ronaldo's impressive brace and a stunning goal from Ali Alhassan, marking a significant moment for the team.
Al-Nassr's victory was particularly sweet as it was their first win in the Riyadh derby in over three years. The 28-year-old midfielder Alhassan opened the scoring just before halftime, netting a spectacular goal in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time. He executed a remarkable strike from outside the box, finding the top-left corner after a cleverly orchestrated short corner routine.
The match began at a frenetic pace, with both teams eager to assert dominance. However, the visiting side faced an early scare when Ronaldo suffered a shoulder injury in the 12th minute while defending a corner. Fortunately for Al-Nassr fans, the Portuguese superstar quickly returned to the pitch after receiving treatment.
Ronaldo's first goal came shortly after the halftime break in the 47th minute. Following a rapid turnover in possession, Sadio Mane sparked a swift counter-attack, exploiting Al-Hilal's high defensive line. Mane surged forward and delivered a precise pass into the penalty area, where Ronaldo was perfectly positioned to convert the opportunity with clinical precision, leaving the Al-Hilal goalkeeper with no chance.
Despite falling behind, Al-Hilal responded with determination and began to dominate possession. They managed to pull one back when defender Ali Albulayhi scored with a towering header from a corner, igniting hopes for the home side. However, Al-Nassr's lead was extended again in the dying minutes of the match when Ronaldo converted a penalty, sealing the game at 3-1.
With this victory, Al-Nassr now sits in third place in the league standings with 54 points, just three points behind Al-Hilal. The defeat has dealt a significant blow to Al-Hilal’s title aspirations, as they now trail league leaders Al-Ittihad by four points.
Looking ahead, Al-Nassr will need to maintain this momentum as they continue their pursuit of the title. They have dropped points in three of their last five matches, making this win crucial as they aim to close the gap on Al-Hilal and compete for the top spot. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal will need to regroup and rethink their strategy to recover from this setback.
In the lead-up to this match, Al-Hilal had won six of their last ten encounters against Al-Nassr, adding to the pressure on the visitors. Al-Nassr manager Stefano Pioli had opted for a 4-4-2 formation, pairing Ronaldo with John Durán, a duo that has netted a combined 25 goals in the Pro League this season.
Al-Hilal, managed by Jorge Jesus, had their own challenges, with key players like Joao Cancelo absent due to injury. The team was bolstered by the expected return of Ali Al-Bulaihi from a hamstring injury, which could provide a much-needed defensive boost in their upcoming fixtures.
The stakes were high in this match, with both teams vying for crucial points as the season approaches its climax. The rivalry between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr is one of the most intense in Saudi football, and this match did not disappoint, delivering excitement from start to finish.
As the final whistle blew, it was clear that Al-Nassr had not only claimed victory but had also sent a strong message to the league about their title ambitions. Fans celebrated the long-awaited derby win, while Al-Hilal faced the reality of needing to bounce back quickly to keep their championship hopes alive.
With the season progressing, every match becomes increasingly vital, and both teams will be looking to capitalize on their next opportunities. Al-Nassr’s performance has reignited their title chase, while Al-Hilal will be eager to regroup and reclaim their form as they continue their quest for glory in the Saudi Pro League.
