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February 26, 2024

Ronaldo scores a historic goal as Al Nassr defeats Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League to stay in the title race – Saudi Pro League

With a game remaining, Al Hilal leads the standings with 52 points, four ahead of Al Nassr after the victory.

In the Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr defeated Al Shabab 3-2 on Monday to keep the title race alive and put pressure on league leader Al-Hilal.

In the 21st minute, Al Nassr’s first significant opportunity came when the referee awarded a penalty kick in its favor. Iago Santos of Al-Shabab stopped a shot with his hand inside his box, as verified by a VAR check.

With a faltering run-up, Cristiano Ronaldo found the back of the net as he stepped up to take the spot kick. It was Ronaldo’s 750th goal in club football history, so it was yet another landmark in his legendary career. It increased his total goal score to 877.

Although Al Nassr believed it would lead 1-0 at the half, a defensive blunder in the first half’s final minutes allowed Al Shabab to equalize from the penalty spot.

In an attempt to clear the ball, Aymeric Laporte tripped Carlos Junior inside the box. The referee instantly pointed to the spot. The Al Nassr players protested, led by Laporte, claiming that he had no contact with the Al-Shabab forward; however, the referee’s decision was upheld by a VAR check.

Yannick Carrasco, a Belgian international, took the penalty kick and put the ball behind the net, giving Al Nassr’s Waleed Abdullah a lousy game.

Al Nassr started the second half fast, with Talisca scoring after just 61 seconds. Seeing the Brazilian clear, Otavio passed the ball to him. Talisca squeezed the trigger as she turned. 

Shabab keeper Hamad Al Absi got a touch on the shot, but it was still fairly straight at him, and he was unable to stop it from going into the net.

The early goal did not demoralize Al Shabab. It harassed the Al Nassr defense, particularly on the wings, as Moteb Al-Harbi placed risky balls inside the Al Nassr box.

Carlos scored the equalizer for the home team in the 67th minute, capping off a successful period of pressure.

Al Nassr was unable to get its lines free from an Al-Shabaab stronghold. Carlos was in the ideal position to tap the ball inside the net with the simplest of finishes after it was squared across the goal’s face from the right flank.

On paper, a point would have been a good result for Al Shabab against a stronger opponent. Still, three points were necessary for Al Nassr to maintain a lead in the championship race. For that reason, Ronaldo and company gave it their all in the hunt for the game-winning goal.

There was a chance in the 87th minute. Talisca received a great through pass, and the Brazilian perfectly timed his run behind the defense to stay in the game.

Despite the pressure, Talisca entered the box and remained composed to poke the ball through the net. Although Al-Absi did stray from his line to make things difficult for Talisca, the Brazilian’s early shot caught him off guard.

When 11 minutes were added at the end of the second half, with Al Nassr leading 3-2, there must have been some nervous moments in the Al Nassr camp, but Luis Castro’s team held on to secure the victory.

Al Shabab’s dismal performance was compounded by the fact that late in second-half extra time, substitute Abdullah Radif received a red card for simulation and was given a second yellow card.

With a game remaining, Al Hilal leads the standings with 52 points, four ahead of Al Nassr after the victory.

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