Spl: Ronaldo limps off as Al-Nassr overturn deficit to win 3-1, prompting fitness checks
Cristiano Ronaldo was withdrawn with a muscle complaint late in Al-Nassr’s 3-1 victory over Al-Fayha, a result that has immediate implications for the spl title race. The Portuguese forward had earlier missed a penalty and the club’s manager said the substitution was a precaution while the medical department assesses him.
Jorge Jesus outlines reason for Ronaldo’s exit
Manager Jorge Jesus said the decision to replace Cristiano Ronaldo was driven by muscular fatigue rather than a major tear or strain. He explained that Ronaldo "felt muscular fatigue, " and that, after the team took the lead, he did not want to risk aggravating the issue; the medical department will assess his condition. The player felt discomfort in a muscle after the 70-minute mark and was substituted by Abdullah Al-Hamdan.
Penalty incident involving Mohamed Simakan and Ronaldo’s miss
Early in the match Al-Nassr were awarded a contentious penalty when Mohamed Simakan went down under minimal contact. Cristiano Ronaldo’s spot-kick in the 11th minute shaved the outside of the post and failed to hit the target. It was his second missed penalty of this season, having previously failed from 12 yards in a 5-1 win over Al Fateh in October, and marked the first time since the 2020/21 season that he has missed two league penalties in a single campaign. The miss was recorded as the 35th of his career, even though he has converted just north of 180 spot-kicks overall.
Sadio Mane’s 72nd-minute goal sparks the comeback
Al-Nassr trailed when an own goal by Abdulelah Al-Amri put Al-Fayha ahead just before the break, giving Chris Smalling’s side a surprise lead. The match turned in the 72nd minute when Sadio Mane scored, a breakthrough the manager had anticipated as the hosts began to flag physically in the second half. That goal set the stage for the decisive period in which Al-Nassr’s bench had a tangible impact on the outcome.
Joao Félix effort and Mosquera own goal both credited in turning the game
Accounts of the second goal differ in the immediate aftermath. One description credits Joao Félix with an attempt that ricocheted in off the goalkeeper to complete the comeback shortly after Mane’s strike. Another account records an own goal by Mosquera that returned the advantage to Al-Nassr. Either way, Abdullah Al-Hamdan added a late third to seal the scoreline and end the match as a 3-1 win for Al-Nassr.
