On that crucial match day, the 14th round of the Saudi League officially kicked off. Al Nassr FC eagerly awaited their home fixture against Al Kawkab. Al Kawkab is not a well-known name in Saudi football and has performed poorly in recent matches, with only 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in their last 5 games. They are currently hovering at the bottom of the league table, ranked fifth from the bottom, just 3 points above the relegation zone, facing a severe situation. Looking back at the two teams' previous encounters, they have only met twice, with Al Nassr emerging victorious on both occasions. Cristiano Ronaldo was particularly outstanding, scoring 3 goals over the two legs, making the opponents wary.
In this match-up, Al Nassr deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to control the rhythm of the game. A host of foreign players led by Ronaldo started the game, with the team boasting star-studded names such as Mane, Angelino, and Otavio. The defense was anchored by Laporte and Simakan, while Bento guarded the goal. Unfortunately, Brozovic and Talisca were unable to make the squad.
As soon as the whistle blew to start the match, Al Nassr seemed to be still asleep, performing extremely lowly with frequent passing errors. As a result, they were suppressed by Al Kawkab. Just six minutes into the game, a crisis arose. Otavio made a fatal mistake in the backfield, allowing the ball to be intercepted by the opponent. Petros quickly sent a through pass, and Basogog, who received the ball on the right side of the penalty area, skillfully evaded the defense and crossed the ball. Simakan hurriedly cleared the ball, but it unfortunately hit his own teammate. Godwin seized the opportunity and easily poked the ball into the net, giving Al Kawkab the lead with a score of 0-1, putting Al Nassr at a disadvantage early in the game.
In the 16th minute, Gnanam rushed down the right flank and crossed the ball towards the goal. Mane, quick as lightning, took advantage of the opponent's defensive error and unleashed a powerful shot that soared towards the goal like a cannonball. However, the linesman raised his flag, indicating that the ball had gone out of bounds prior to the shot, rendering the goal invalid. The Al Nassr players and fans were left disappointed. Fortunately, the team did not lose heart. In the 29th minute, a turning point arrived. Otavio spotted an opening in the frontcourt and delivered an accurate lofted pass. Gnanam, like a wild horse let loose, quickly charged forward and leapt high to head the ball towards the goal. Although the goalkeeper made a save, he could only touch the ball with his fingertips. Mane was there to follow up and scored, leveling the score to 1-1, finally stabilizing the situation for Al Nassr.
During the 39th minute of the match, Mane received the ball inside the penalty area and was about to launch an offensive move when he was brutally tackled to the ground by Al Kawkab's defender. The referee wasted no time in pointing to the penalty spot. Three minutes later, Ronaldo, with a determined look, walked steadily to the penalty spot. After taking a deep breath, he struck the ball with precision, sending it into the lower right corner of the goal. With this goal, Al Nassr took the lead, the score becoming 2-1. It is worth noting that this goal held great significance as it marked Ronaldo's achievement of scoring in 24 consecutive calendar years, a remarkable feat.
It is particularly noteworthy that Ronaldo's journey in the Saudi League has been nothing short of spectacular. He has scored an astonishing 60 goals in just 60 appearances, showcasing his explosive form. His total number of club career goals has risen to 782, and considering all competitions, his total goal tally stands at an impressive 917, continuously breaking records and adding to his legendary status. As the first half approached its end in the 45th minute, Ronaldo led a rapid counter-attack, darting into the penalty area at lightning speed and attempting a shot from a tight angle. However, the goalkeeper reacted swiftly, diving to save the ball, preserving Al Nassr's one-goal lead going into halftime.
However, a one-goal lead was not enough to give the team peace of mind. In the second half, the teams switched sides and continued the match. Al Nassr's attacking momentum remained relentless, quickly launching a siege. In the 52nd minute, Angelino dribbled the ball horizontally from the right flank, looking for an opportunity before delivering a cross to the edge of the penalty area. Otavio followed up with a curling shot, but unfortunately, he put too much power into it, causing the ball to soar over the crossbar, missing a chance to extend their lead.
As the match progressed to the 57th minute, Mane successfully initiated a quick counter-attack. Ronaldo, understanding the situation instantly, cleverly backheeled a pass. Gharib, seeing this, quickly charged from the left and took a shot, which flew like a meteor but unfortunately hit the side netting, narrowly missing the target. Time continued to tick away, and the intensity of the match escalated. In the 70th minute, Otavio skillfully used the back of his foot to control the ball, and Gharib, after receiving it, executed a cutback pass. Mane was already waiting at the goalmouth and pushed the ball towards the net. However, Al Kawkab's defender exerted every ounce of strength, diving to block the shot with his body, successfully preventing what looked like a certain goal, creating a breathtaking scene.
In the 80th minute of the match, Ronaldo played a through ball from the left flank, and Mane, after receiving it, quickly returned a cutback pass. Ali, outside the penalty area, slightly adjusted his position before unleashing a powerful shot that whistled towards the goal, but unfortunately, it missed the post, leaving the Al Nassr players feeling regretful. Fortunately, in the dying stages of the match, specifically in the 88th minute, Gnanam crossed the ball from the right flank. The ball drew a beautiful arc in the air and reached the goalmouth, where Mane leapt high and headed the ball powerfully into the net, successfully scoring a brace and securing a 3-1 victory for Al Nassr over Al Kawkab.
Al Nassr celebrated a crucial victory, breaking free from the misfortune of two consecutive defeats in various competitions and claiming their first win of 2025. On the road to the championship, despite numerous challenges, they have at least retained a glimmer of hope. With a long road ahead, how will the team adjust their state to challenge for the championship trophy? This has undoubtedly become a suspense that fans are eagerly looking forward to unraveling.