The Saudi Arabian Premier League witnessed a spectacular clash in its fifth round, as Al-Nasr traveled to face Al-Hazm. The visitors came into the game with confidence, having recovered from a shaky start to the season. Their star-studded lineup, led by Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané, delivered a performance filled with quality, power, and precision, ultimately sealing a commanding 5-1 victory.
From the opening whistle, Al-Nasr showed intent. The ball circulation, pressing, and pace on the wings quickly overwhelmed Al-Hazm. It didn’t take long before the floodgates opened. Abdulrahman Gharib was the first to strike, finishing off a fluid attacking move that highlighted the visitors’ tactical superiority. Not long after, Abdullah Al-Khaybari joined the scoresheet with a powerful effort that doubled the lead.
Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved that age is just a number. The Portuguese legend dictated the tempo of the attack, scoring three times in style and providing two assists for his teammates. His performance was a perfect reminder of why Al-Nasr invested so heavily to bring him to Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo’s first goal showcased his poacher’s instinct. Positioned perfectly inside the penalty area, he reacted quicker than the defenders to slot the ball past the goalkeeper. His second was the product of clever link-up play, exchanging passes with Otavio before finishing with authority. The hat-trick was completed with trademark precision — a composed strike that underlined his ability to deliver on the biggest stages.
Beyond the goals, Ronaldo’s leadership was evident. He dropped deep to organize attacks, encouraged younger teammates, and used his vision to set up Abdulrahman Gharib and Sadio Mané. For fans and analysts alike, this was one of his finest performances since arriving in Saudi Arabia.Sadio Mané, fresh from his move from Bayern Munich, is quickly becoming indispensable to Al-Nasr. Against Al-Hazm, his pace and direct dribbling repeatedly tore holes in the opposition’s defense. His goal came after a well-timed run into the box, calmly finishing a pass that left the goalkeeper stranded.
Abdulrahman Gharib, meanwhile, impressed with his creativity and agility. He opened the scoring early in the game with a composed strike, setting the tone for the evening. His ability to stretch defenses and combine with Ronaldo and Mané has given Al-Nasr a dangerous attacking trio capable of dismantling any opponent.While the headlines focused on Ronaldo and Mané, the foundation of Al-Nasr’s victory came from their midfield dominance. Abdullah Al-Khaybari delivered a solid box-to-box performance, scoring a goal and shielding the defense when needed. His balance of defensive stability and attacking presence allowed the forwards more freedom to express themselves.
Otavio, the Portuguese international, was another standout performer. Known for his work rate and vision, he orchestrated Al-Nasr’s passing sequences and capped his display with a goal of his own. His chemistry with Ronaldo is already blossoming, offering the team a vital creative spark.For Al-Hazm, the result was another painful reminder of their struggles this season. The team has managed only two points in five games and sits bottom of the table. Defensive lapses, poor communication, and a lack of cutting edge in attack once again cost them dearly.
Al-Nasr’s success in this game was built on three tactical pillars: high pressing, wide overloads, and efficient transitions. From the start, the visitors pressed Al-Hazm aggressively, forcing errors and regaining possession high up the pitch. This strategy prevented the hosts from building momentum and gave Al-Nasr consistent opportunities to attack. On the wings, the combination of Gharib and Mané stretched Al-Hazm’s backline, creating space for Ronaldo to exploit centrally. Quick diagonal passes and overlapping runs repeatedly broke defensive lines. Meanwhile, in transition, Al-Nasr’s forwards were ruthless — every turnover was transformed into a dangerous attack within seconds.
Defensively, Al-Nasr remained compact, allowing only a handful of half-chances. Goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi had little to do apart from picking the ball out of the net once.Although Al-Nasr and Al-Hazm do not share the same historic rivalry as some other Saudi clubs, matches between them have often highlighted the gulf in quality. In recent years, Al-Nasr have consistently dominated this fixture, and the latest result only reinforced that pattern. For Al-Hazm, facing the likes of Ronaldo and Mané represents a monumental challenge, but also a valuable experience for younger players.
