Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr finally ended their winless streak in 2026, claiming a dramatic 3-2 victory over Al Shabab at Al Awal Park on Saturday evening. The match, packed with excitement and twists, saw both sides inadvertently scoring own goals, but it was Al Nassr who emerged victorious.
The hosts wasted no time asserting dominance. In just the second minute, Al Nassr took the lead when Al Shabab defender Saad Yaslam inadvertently diverted Joao Felix’s low cross into his own net. The early advantage injected energy into the crowd and the team alike.
Six minutes later, Kingsley Coman doubled the lead. Felix once again provided a precise cross, allowing Coman to execute a spectacular overhead kick that left the goalkeeper stranded. At 2-0, Al Nassr looked set for a commanding victory.
However, Al Shabab fought back resiliently. In the 31st minute, Hammam Al Hammami cut in from the right flank to deliver a dangerous cross. Al Nassr defender Mohamed Simakan, unable to control the ball, accidentally sent it into his own net, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
The second half saw Al Shabab intensify their attacks. Yannick Carrasco orchestrated play from midfield, and his through ball found Carlos Junior, who calmly slotted home to equalise. With the match tied, Al Shabab seemed poised for a remarkable comeback.
Their hopes suffered a blow in the 68th minute when Vincent Sierro received a second yellow card for a late tackle on Coman, reducing Al Shabab to ten men. Al Nassr capitalised on the numerical advantage, pressing relentlessly for the winner.
In the 76th minute, Wesley’s shot was initially blocked inside the box, but the rebound fell to Abdulrahman Gharib. His strike took a deflection off an Al Shabab defender and went in, securing Al Nassr’s first victory of 2026.
With this result, Al Nassr now sit second in the league with 34 points from 15 matches, trailing leaders Al Hilal, who have 38 points with a game in hand. Al Shabab remain 15th with 11 points.
Saudi Pro League Standings (Top 5):
| Position | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Hilal | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 6 | 38 |
| 2 | Al Nassr | 15 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 26 | 13 | 34 |
| 3 | Al Najeem | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 20 | 15 | 24 |
| 4 | Al Ittihad | 15 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 18 | 17 | 23 |
| 5 | Al Faisaly | 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 15 | 12 | 23 |
Al Nassr will now aim to maintain their momentum in the coming fixtures as they seek to narrow the gap with league leaders Al Hilal. Ronaldo’s presence continues to be a driving force in their attacking play.