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August 23, 2024

VAR Denies Ronaldo’s Goal, Al Nassr Misses Win – Saudi Pro League

Cristiano Ronaldo experienced a frustrating start to the Saudi Pro League season on Thursday. What seemed to be a decisive winning goal for Al Nassr was ultimately ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR). This decision came after his teammates and fans initially celebrated Ronaldo’s goal, only for the review to overturn it.

The ruling was a significant setback for Ronaldo and Al Nassr, who were eager to secure a solid opening to their campaign. The disallowed goal deprived them of the anticipated victory, leaving the team and their supporters disheartened as they began their season.

With 15 minutes remaining in Al Nassr’s home match against Al Raed on the opening day of the new season, Cristiano Ronaldo found the net for the second time. The goal initially seemed like it would secure a crucial win for his team. However, the celebration was short-lived as the play was subject to a lengthy review by the video assistant referee (VAR).

After a thorough examination, the VAR officials determined that Ronaldo was in an offside position when he scored. This ruling disallowed the goal, leaving Ronaldo and his teammates disappointed as they were unable to capitalize on what had seemed like a key moment in the match.

The match concluded with a 1-1 draw, despite Cristiano Ronaldo giving his team the advantage in the first half. Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, scored with a powerful close-range header in the 34th minute. This goal marked his first of the new campaign and showcased his continued prowess in front of goal.

Ronaldo’s header set the stage for a significant victory, but the game was ultimately tied after the opposition equalized. Despite Ronaldo’s impressive performance and record-setting 35 goals from the previous season, his team’s early lead was not enough to secure a win in this opening fixture.

The goal was Ronaldo’s 50th in only 48 games in the Saudi Pro League. Since joining the league, this achievement highlights his remarkable consistency and prolific scoring ability. With an impressive strike rate, Ronaldo has continued to demonstrate his exceptional talent and maintain a high level of performance throughout his time in Saudi Arabian football.

However, Al Raed, who had finished 12th place the previous season, managed to level the score early in the second half. Mohammed Fouzair found the back of the net just four minutes after the restart, capitalizing on a critical opportunity. His goal ensured that the match remained evenly contested and thwarted Al Nassr’s hopes of securing a victory despite their earlier lead.

Adding to Ronaldo and his team’s frustration, Al Nassr was denied a penalty for handball deep into stoppage time in the second half. The incident, which many felt deserved a penalty, was closely examined by the referee using the pitch-side monitor.

Despite this thorough review, the original decision was upheld, leaving Al Nassr disheartened as they tried to secure a late win. The refusal of the penalty further compounded their disappointment. It ended any hopes of clinching a victory in the match’s dying moments.

Ronaldo has been pursuing his first major trophy with Al Nassr since leaving Manchester United in December 2022. Despite his impressive performances and continued goal-scoring prowess, he has yet to secure a significant title with his new club. His transition to the Saudi Pro League marked a new chapter in his career, and achieving a substantial trophy with Al Nassr remains a crucial goal as he seeks to add to his extensive list of accolades.

After finishing as runners-up to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League and the Saudi King’s Cup last season, Al Nassr faced another setback against the Riyadh side in the Saudi Super Cup on Saturday. This latest defeat further underscores Al Nassr’s ongoing struggle to secure a major title, as they have repeatedly fallen short against their Riyadh rivals. The loss in the Super Cup adds to their frustrations from the previous season, highlighting the persistent challenge they face in overcoming Al Hilal and clinching the silverware they seek.

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