Al-Nassr delivered a dominant performance, defeating defending champions Al-Ittihad 2-0 in a high-stakes Saudi Pro League matchup on Friday at Al-Awwal Park. Sadio Mané opened the scoring from the penalty spot, while Ângelo Gabriel sealed the victory late in the second half.
The attacking duo proved clinical when it mattered most. Mané's penalty came after a handball inside the box, and he calmly converted past goalkeeper Rajkovic. Ângelo's finish in the final stretch showcased Al-Nassr's control—a sharp counter-attack led to a well-taken left-footed strike that left the Al-Ittihad defense helpless. The Yellow and Blue's attacking firepower was on full display, even without their star man.
The biggest story remains Cristiano Ronaldo's continued absence from the squad. The Portuguese forward missed a second straight Al Nassr game, continuing his protest over the club's transfer strategy. While Ronaldo returned to training this week and is fully fit, he remains unhappy with how the league and the Public Investment Fund manage competing clubs. His frustration centers on Al Hilal's recruitment—particularly Karim Benzema's free transfer from Al-Ittihad—which he views as preferential treatment for a rival PIF-backed club.
The result pushes Al-Nassr to second place in the Saudi Pro League, just one point behind leaders Al-Hilal. Coach Jorge Jesus' side proved they can win decisive matches without their talisman, but the underlying tension between Ronaldo and management threatens the club's title push. The league's response to Ronaldo's protest—a rare statement reaffirming independent club operations—signals patience is wearing thin on both sides. For now, Al-Nassr advances, but the question looming over the campaign remains: Can they win a league title with or without their world-famous forward?