Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema shared the limelight again – but only one of the former Real Madrid stars seized the moment. In a vibrant collision in Al-Awwal Park on Wednesday, Al-ITIhad finished a fantastic 3-2 comeback victory Over Al-Nassr, crush the host’s narrow title jump and send a message to the rest of the Saudi Pro League.
While Ronaldo faded in the backgroundHis former teammate Benzema led from the frontPoints and ignition of the turn that can define al-ITIhad’s championship push. The victory sent al-ITIhad Six points clear top with 71 pointswhile Al-Nassr sank to fourth – A dramatic twist in a league that is already full of stories.
The first 45 minutes belonged SadiomanWhich was electric all the time. Just three minutes in, the Senegalese wing bumped into a defensive mistake by Abdulelah Al-Amri and drilled home a low strike To give al-Nassr the perfect start.
Manes influence did not end there. In the 37th minuteAfter dancing through defenders and slipping the middle of the driving, square he a passport for Ayman YahyaThat made no mistake with a clinical finish. Were examined a potential handball in the structure, but the goal stood and gave Al-Nassr a seemingly Comfortable 2-0 lead at the break.
Benzema and Kante Spark al-ITihad’s revival
But The other half flipped the script in spectacular way. Just four minutes after the restart, Karim Benzema rose highest to go home A short crossing that withdraws one back for al-ITIhad. The celebration was calm but loaded with symbolism – the silent leader who struck when it meant the most.
Three minutes later, Reported brought the score level with a powerful low strike after a well -orchestrated counter -attack. From 2-0 down to 2-2 in seven minutesLaurent Blanc’s side grabbed the initiative and attached Al-Nassr deep into its own half.
The hosts, laughed and disorganized, failed to gather a coherent response. And in the 94th minuteThe Houssem Aouar turned on a recovery Inside the box and dropped in what turned out to be the winning goal. Drama wasn’t over yet – Moussa Diaby was sent by In the dying seconds after Tempers cooked over.
Ronaldo’s disappearance action and what it means for the title
On one night built for heroes, Cristiano Ronaldo was strangely absent. The 40-year-old forward was largely ineffective and failed to record some meaningful images on the target or affect the attacking game.
The contrast to Mane – who scored goals and helped – stared. Despite Al-Nassr’s loss, the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich was clearly their prominent artist and disturbing defenders with his tempo, vision and dribling.
This result can reshape the season. With Four games leftAl-ITIhad is ready to cope with Saudi Pro League title and potentially complete a domestic double, after reaching King Cup Final.
Al-Nassr, on the other hand, is facing an uncertain future. With Only the two best qualification for next season’s AFC Champions League -eliteand al-ahli secure a place by winning the continental title, Ronaldo’s side is now tracking third place with a point.
