For Cristiano Ronaldo, since joining Al-Nassr with a sky-high annual salary, he has helped Saudi Arabia kick off the golden football era and also helped the country secure the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup. It can be said that Saudi Arabia has achieved great success in the field of football due to Ronaldo. However, since joining the Saudi league, Ronaldo has remained elusive in winning championships. This season, Al-Nassr changed coaches mid-season, but the gap with the top team, Al-Hilal, has only widened.
In the early hours of January 22nd, Beijing time, in the Saudi league, Al-Nassr played away against Al-Khaleej. During the match, Hamzah was sent off with a straight red card in the first half, Mane's shot created danger, and Al-Nassr had only one shot on target at halftime, ending 0-0 between Al-Nassr and Al-Khaleej. In the second half, Otavio assisted Ronaldo in breaking the deadlock with a shot, Ojami conceded a penalty, Futunis scored from the spot to equalize, B. Luo assisted Hanam in pushing the ball into the net to overtake the score, and Ronaldo scored again in stoppage time to complete a brace.
Meanwhile, Al-Hilal played at home against Makkah United. In the match, Leonardo scored in six consecutive games in the first half, Malcom scored his second goal within four minutes, and in the second half, Malcom scored another goal, Goodwin scored with a free-kick to pull one back, and Hamdan came off the bench to contribute. Ultimately, Al-Hilal won 4-1 at home against Makkah United.
Al-Khaleej 1-3 Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr spent a fortune to sign Ronaldo, helping the Saudi league start the golden football era, and Ronaldo also enjoys the highest salary in world football. However, for the proud Ronaldo, the championship has always been his lifelong pursuit. Al-Nassr's form this season has been inconsistent, and they were quickly left behind by their city rivals Al-Hilal and Jeddah United in terms of points difference. Even after Pioli took office, he could not stop the downward trend, winning only one game in the last four matches.
The match began, and in the 30th minute, Al-Khaleej had one less player! Nawaf received a long pass outside the penalty area, which hit Hamzah's hand. The referee then ruled, after VAR confirmation, that Hamzah, as the last defender, should be sent off with a straight red card. In the 64th minute, Al-Nassr broke the deadlock! Angelo crossed from the right, Otavio back-heeled the ball near the penalty spot to Ronaldo, who volleyed into the corner of the net, making it 0-1 for Al-Nassr against Al-Khaleej. In the 78th minute, Al-Khaleej was awarded a penalty! Martins' overhead kick in the penalty area hit Ojami's hand, and the referee did not initially indicate a foul, but after VAR review, a penalty was awarded. Futunis converted the penalty, making it 1-1 between Al-Khaleej and Al-Nassr. In the 80th minute, Al-Nassr regained the lead! B. Luo passed directly into the box, and Hanam pushed the ball into the net, making it 1-2 for Al-Nassr against Al-Khaleej. In the 97th minute, Al-Nassr sealed the game! A direct pass through the middle found Hacavi with a clear chance, and he crossed for Ronaldo to push the ball into the net, finalizing the score at 1-3 for Al-Nassr against Al-Khaleej.
Al-Hilal 4-1 Makkah United
Last season, Al-Hilal won the Saudi league title undefeated and followed the example of their city rivals Al-Nassr by signing Ronaldo, spending a huge amount to sign Neymar. However, since arriving in Saudi Arabia, Neymar has been out for a long time due to injury and has made no contributions to Al-Hilal. In the Saudi King's Champions Cup, Al-Hilal was eliminated by Jeddah United. In the past two rounds of the Saudi league, Al-Hilal has unleashed their firepower, scoring a total of 14 goals without conceding any, and now they are in the leading position on the leaderboard.
During the match, in the 7th minute, Lodi's long-range shot caused goalkeeper Ovihir to fumble the save, and Leonardo followed up to net the rebound, making it 1-0 for Al-Hilal against Makkah United! In the 11th minute, Makkah United made a back-pass error, Kanu passed directly into the penalty area, Malcom controlled the ball and broke through before slotting it low into the net, making it 2-0 for Al-Hilal against Makkah United! In the 81st minute, Ruben Neves took a corner kick, and Malcom nodded the ball into the net! After VAR review, the referee ruled the goal valid, making it 3-0 for Al-Hilal against Makkah United! In the 89th minute, Goodwin took a free-kick, and both sides' players missed the header in the penalty area, allowing the ball to bounce and sneak into the net, making it 3-1 for Al-Hilal against Makkah United! In the 90th minute, Al-Hilal executed a smooth combination play, Dosari crossed from the bottom, Leonardo passed horizontally without stopping, and Hamdan confidently curled a shot into the corner, finalizing the score at 4-1 for Al-Hilal against Makkah United!