In a thrilling clash of Saudi Pro League giants, Al-Nassr defeated Al-Ittihad 5:2 in Jeddah, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané both netting doubles to secure three crucial points. Despite a strong start and two goals from Abderrazak Hamdallah, Al-Ittihad could not withstand the attacking firepower of Al-Nassr, especially after Fabinho’s red card turned the game.
Al-Nassr thought they had taken the lead early when Cristiano Ronaldo found the back of the net in the 11th minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Just three minutes later, it was Al-Ittihad who struck first. Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah opened the scoring, igniting the home crowd and putting Al-Nassr under pressure.
Al-Nassr’s response was immediate. In the 19th minute, Ronaldo confidently converted a penalty to bring his team level. By the 38th minute, the visitors were in front, as Anderson Talisca finished clinically after a clever assist from Alex Telles, giving Al-Nassr a 2:1 lead at the break.At the start of the second half, Al-Ittihad showed resilience. Once again, it was Hamdallah who delivered, scoring his second of the match after a fine pass from Igor Coronado. At 2:2, the game was wide open, with both teams pushing forward.
The match’s decisive moment came in the 68th minute when former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho was sent off. Down to 10 men, Al-Ittihad’s defense struggled to contain Al-Nassr’s relentless attacks. Ronaldo stepped up again, converting his second penalty of the match to restore Al-Nassr’s advantage at 3:2.With Al-Ittihad reeling, Sadio Mané took center stage.
In the 76th minute, the Senegalese winger scored after a brilliant assist from Talisca. Just six minutes later, Mané struck again, this time assisted by Otávio, completing his brace and sealing a dominant 5:2 victory for Al-Nassr.Al-Nassr: Used width effectively with Mané and Talisca stretching Al-Ittihad’s defense, while Ronaldo remained clinical in front of goal. Their ability to exploit spaces after Fabinho’s dismissal proved decisive.
Al-Ittihad: Started brightly through Hamdallah, but defensive lapses and lack of discipline cost them dearly. Playing a man down against such attacking quality was an impossible task.Al-Nassr: Remain in 2nd place with 43 points after 18 matches, keeping up pressure on leaders Al-Hilal. Al-Ittihad: Drop to 6th place with 28 points from 18 matches, their title hopes fading as inconsistency continues to haunt them.Al-Nassr fans hailed Ronaldo and Mané’s leadership, calling them the “golden duo” driving the team’s title chase. Saudi media praised the game as a showcase of the league’s growing star power, with European legends deciding key matches.Al-Ittihad supporters, however, voiced frustration over Fabinho’s red card, which many felt sealed their team’s fate.
The clash between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad lived up to its billing, full of goals, drama, and superstar performances. Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace reminded everyone of his enduring class, while Sadio Mané’s late double demonstrated his killer instinct.
For Al-Nassr, the victory strengthens their pursuit of the Saudi Pro League crown. For Al-Ittihad, it’s another painful reminder of how lapses in discipline can undo even the best efforts — and how difficult it is to contain a side powered by Ronaldo and Mané.
