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Cristiano Ronaldo scored five minutes into the second half as Al Nassr came from behind to beat Al Taawoun 2-1 at Al-Awwal Park, their second recovery in five days. Samu Costa had equalised deep into first-half stoppage time after Mohammed Al Hurayji put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute. Al Nassr have won all four league matches and lead the table on 12 points.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Al Nassr have now trailed in two consecutive matches and won both. On Tuesday it took three goals in the last sixteen minutes. On Friday it took rather less, but the pattern is becoming familiar.
Mohammed Al Hurayji put Al Taawoun ahead in the 11th minute, following up after a shot came back off the crossbar. From there the visitors set themselves up to defend, closing space in their own area and looking to counter through Younes El Bahraoui and Abderrazak Hamdallah.
Mailson Holds Out Until He Cannot
Al Nassr pressed with increasing weight as the half wore on, and Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman and Joao Felix all found openings. Goalkeeper Mailson answered each of them.
The hosts thought they had a penalty in the 44th minute after a collision in the box, but the referee overturned the award at the VAR monitor.
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The equaliser arrived in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Samu Costa struck low from outside the area, placing it beside the post, and Al Nassr went in level having spent most of the half chasing.
Ronaldo Settles It
Five minutes after the restart, Ronaldo scored the goal that decided the match.
It is his second in three league appearances this season, having missed the opening fixture against Al Fateh while short of fitness. The 41-year-old led the line from the start this time — a contrast with Tuesday, when Ange Postecoglou withdrew him at half-time with his side 2-0 down and ten men, before Al Nassr scored three times to win 3-2.
Ronaldo was replaced by Abdulrahman Al-Hamdan in the 80th minute, with Abdullah Al-Khaibari coming on for Angelo Gabriel. Al Taawoun made a double change of their own five minutes later and pushed men forward in search of an equaliser without finding one.
Four From Four
Al Nassr lead the Saudi Pro League with 12 points from four matches, ahead of Al Hilal, who have played one game fewer. The champions have won all four league fixtures this season.
Samu Costa’s goal was his second of the campaign — he also scored on his debut in the 3-0 opening-day win over Al Fateh, a match Ronaldo missed entirely.
Al Taawoun remain without a win, on two points from four.
Score: Al Nassr 2 (Samu Costa 45+5′, Cristiano Ronaldo 50′) Al Taawoun 1 (Mohammed Al Hurayji 11′)
Half-time: 1-1
Venue: Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh
