Al Nassr failed to win for the first time in eight matches on Friday as the Saudi Pro League title hopefuls needed a 95th-minute equaliser to salvage a 3-3 draw in the absence of top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Newly-promoted Al Kholood, who had started the evening outside of the relegation zone on goal difference, took a surprise 12th-minute lead against Ronaldo’s side when Myziane Maolida struck the opener as part of a counter-attack.
💥 @AlkholoodClubEN are LEADING Al Nassr 3-2 with just a few minutes to go…
Can they hold on to claim the win? 👀#RoshnSaudiLeague #KHONAS pic.twitter.com/rV6hAMp3EB
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) October 25, 2024
Former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte’s header and Brazilian forward Talisca’s finish gave Al Nassr the lead within 13 minutes, but Maolida’s 28th-minute equaliser from outside the penalty area continued the action-packed nature of the first half.
After on-loan Besiktas forward Jackson Muleka fired in for Al Kholood from a cross with 19 minutes remaining, only Talisca’s last-gasp penalty – awarded following a Video Assistant Referee review – spared Al Nassr their first league defeat of the campaign.
A centre-back turned prolific goalscorer: @Laporte 💥💥💥#RoshnSaudiLeague #KHONAS pic.twitter.com/Y7Wf4dNqmk
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) October 25, 2024
Why didn’t Ronaldo play for Al Nassr vs Al Kholood?
Ronaldo was reportedly left out of the squad because his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, was in hospital with pneumonia this week.
The official reason for his exclusion was not confirmed but Rodriguez offered her gratitude to doctors in Riyadh for looking after her, Talksport said.
“They took care of me so wonderfully and I’m very grateful for that,” the outlet quoted Rodriguez as saying on Instagram. “Thank you all for such a great stay.
“Finally back home. I spent four days at the hospital with pneumonia. I’m better now but still recovering at home with my family. I have to say a big thank you to all the staff members, doctors, nurses and everyone at the hospital.”
Jackson Muleka just had to add a goal to his two assists tonight 🇨🇩#RoshnSaudiLeague #KHONAS pic.twitter.com/CDx1qqbG9B
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) October 25, 2024
Ronaldo Al Nassr record
Ronaldo had started Al Nassr’s first seven league fixtures this season, scoring once in all but one of them and contributing two assists.
Al Nassr took four points from the three league games their captain missed in 2022/23 and it looks like they will be able to afford few further slip-ups if they are to finish top this time around.
FT: Al Kholood 3-3 Al Nassr
We can breathe now, with the home side holding on until the very end to claim a point off Stefano Pioli’s team ⚖️#RoshnSaudiLeague #KHONAS pic.twitter.com/uNpQy1eV4J
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) October 25, 2024
Last season’s champions, Al Hilal, have won all seven of their fixtures to put themselves three points above Al Nassr with a game in hand.
Al Nassr host Al Hilal next Friday (6pm BST) – a game that already looks crucial for the team also containing two-time African Footballer of the Year Sadio Mane.
