Al Wehda vs. Al Nassr score, result, highlights as rowing Ronaldo's goal helps earn Saudi Pro League victory

Ben Miller

•
Al Wehda vs. Al Nassr score, result, highlights as rowing Ronaldo's goal helps earn Saudi Pro League victory image

Cristiano Ronaldo extended his lead as the Saudi Pro League top scorer by helping Al Nassr outclass Al Wehda with his 13th top-flight goal of the season at Mecca's King Abdul Aziz Stadium.

Captain Ronaldo pounced on calamitous defending to slot in four minutes after halftime, adding to Alex Telles' terrific 11th-minute freekick and Abdulelah Al-Amri's well-timed header six minutes shy of the break.

A seventh successive victory in all competitions moved Luis Castro's side four points behind unbeaten league leaders Al Hilal, although the Portuguese coach frequently made his misgivings about Al Nassr's performance clear.

Al Wehda were wasteful at times and failed to produce an attempt on target during the first half despite forcing chances, eventually pulling a goal back when shot-happy midfielder Anselmo steered a close-range header past Nawaf Alaqidi with nine minutes remaining.

Al Wehda vs Al Nassr result

  Score Goal scorers
Al Wehda 1 Anselmo (81)
Al Nassr 3 Alex Telles (11), Abdulelah Al-Amri (39), Cristiano Ronaldo (49)

Otavio hammered the woodwork for the visitors with a first-time volley shortly before Anselmo scored, and Al Nassr were twice denied a fourth by VAR reviews.

Talisca was thwarted first when his finish off a thigh from Telles' freekick was ruled out, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb also found the net in vain in added time.

Ronaldo responded to the fulltime whistle by lengthily questioning Mexican referee Fernando Guerrero, who had consulted the pitchside monitor over Ghareeb's goal, while Castro appeared to castigate the official for the decision.

Al Nassr are next in action when they host newly promoted Al Akhdoud on November 24. Midtable Al Wehda are at home to Al Khaleej the following day.

Ronaldo returns with goal as Al Nassr win

Ronaldo had scored all four goals in this fixture in February, taking his career tally to 500 as Al Nassr swept Al Wehda aside.

The striker was rested for Al Nassr's AFC Champions League win at Al Duhail on Tuesday, and he was a bystander again for the first goal in Mecca.

Al Wehda had the better of the opening 10 minutes but did not appear to expect Alex Telles to take a freekick just outside the penalty area, perhaps missing the telltale sign of him kissing the ball as he placed it down next to Ronaldo.

Telles' curling effort was a beauty, which Ronaldo duly almost eclipsed, battering a swerving freekick of his own towards goal after a hallmark run-up.

Goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi was equal to it, making one of several impressive saves to keep Al Wehda's hopes of surprising the title hopefuls intact.

Al Nassr were again not entirely convincing defensively, but their opponents could not find the guile or accuracy from good positions to punish them.

Ronaldo's goal was indebted to comically poor passing from a goal-kick, culminating in Waleed Bakshween attempting to head the ball back to Mohamedi and unwittingly providing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner with a simple finish.

Castro complained at his players at times, voicing his concerns at their willingness to afford Al Wehda opportunities. If this was far from a vintage display from his team, it was also another important away win in their attempt to avoid falling any further behind Al Hilal.

Sadio Mane's Saudi Pro League goal drought

Sadio Mane started the season with six goals in as many Saudi Pro League games but has since gone seven without adding to that tally in the division, last scoring a top-flight goal in September.

The former Bayern Munich and Liverpool striker should have done better with a first-half opportunity, heading down into the turf when he met a cross in space.

Mohamedi tipped the effort over the crossbar, then brilliantly denied Mane again midway through the second half.

Mane was alert to a throw-in, leaping to chest the ball beyond his markers and set himself up to lash in a fierce strike that Mohamedi pawed behind in a show of rapid reflexes.

While Mane has nine goals and three assists across 18 appearances this season, he is yet to find the ruthlessness — and occasional touch of fortune — from which Ronaldo and Talisca have profited.

With Ronaldo's goals putting him two ahead of next-nearest rival Aleksandar Mitrovic, Mane's relative drought will likely be more of an annoyance than a worry for the two-time African Footballer of the Year and his club, particularly with Talisca scoring 17 times in 14 games in all competitions.

When he was substituted in added time, Mane and Castro embraced each other in the knowledge that a goal and an assist could have been his in this game.

Mane set up Talisca's goal to put Al Nassr ahead for the first time against Al Duhail, although almost two months will have passed since his last assist in the league by the time the international break ends. When he recaptures full confidence, Al Nassr will be even more capable of outscoring domestic opponents.

The Sporting News followed the match live and providing updates and highlights below.

MORE: Saudi Pro League top scorers 2023/2024: Updated Golden Boot ranking

Starting lineups:

Al Wehda: (4-2-3-1): Mohamedi (GK) — Bakshween, Yamiq, Duarte, Hawsawi — Anselmo, Fajr — Al Mowalad, Goodwin, Noor — Ighalo.

Al Nassr: (4-2-3-1): Alaqidi (GK) — Sultan, Amri, Fatil, Telles — Brozovic, Sami — Otavio, Talisca, Mane — Ronaldo.

Al Wehda vs Al Nassr live updates, highlights, commentary

Fulltime: Al Wehda 1-3 Al Nassr

All go in added time! Sadio Mane was substituted and Odion Ighalo headed over the crossbar when well placed for Al Wehda.

Abdulrahman Ghareeb then had a goal ruled out for offside – the second Al Nassr have been denied by a VAR check during this game.

Cristiano Ronaldo has a chat with the referee. Luis Castro looks even less impressed, remonstrating angrily. Still, they've the consolation of helping to make it seven wins out of seven for Al Nassr in all competitions!

90 mins +1: Al Wehda 1-3 Al Nassr

Abdulrahman Ghareeb is denied by Munir Mohamedi! Sadio Mane slips Ghareeb through inside the penalty area, and the goalkeeper is out to block his shot behind. Another rescue act. 

88 mins: Al Wehda 1-3 Al Nassr

This game has become end-to-end now, Al Wehda feeling they have to go for it and Al Nassr not looking particularly keen to shut up shop.

85 mins: Al Wehda 1-3 Al Nassr

Unless they can become vastly more clinical, it's hard to see Al Wehda earning a positive result here. They're pushing a bit, though, and Al Nassr don't look as composed as they were earlier in this half.

82 mins: Al Wehda 1-3 Al Nassr

A decent goal, that one, although Anselmo's celebration was pretty muted.

Oscar Duarte did well to nod a header across goal from a freekick, finding Anselmo at the far post, who timed his run well and glanced the ball into the far corner of the net.

Even though Al Wehda have often been wasteful with chances, that reply is deserved.

81 mins: GOAL – Al Wehda 1-3 Al Nassr (Anselmo)

Anselmo and Al Wehda have their goal!

79 mins: Al Wehda 0-3 Al Nassr

Otavio hits the woodwork with a first-time volley! Sultan Al-Ghannam breaks into the area and plays a cross from the right that is blocked into the path of the midfielder, who skips with frustration as he sees his hammered effort bounce away.

77 mins: Al Wehda 0-3 Al Nassr

Good save! Munir Mohamedi beats Sadio Mane's strike from a tight angle over, volleyball-style, with a strong arm.

Mane had shown blistering pace to nudge the ball beyond Saeed Al Mowalad inside the penalty area and fire in the shot.

74 mins: Al Wehda 0-3 Al Nassr

Anselmo bustles his way through two markers, reaches the edge of the Al Nassr penalty area and cracks a shot over the crossbar.

He's been Al Wehda's greatest threat tonight, but his speed of passing and accuracy when shooting have let him down a little.

71 mins: Al Wehda 0-3 Al Nassr

Are Al Nassr's social representatives a little frustrated by that decision?

68 mins: Al Wehda 0-3 Al Nassr

Sadio Mane almost scores after a brilliant piece of play! The Senegal striker races on to a throw-in on the edge of the penalty area, pushes the ball beyond his marker with his chest and lashes in a shot which Munir Mohamedi does brilliantly to paw behind.

66 mins: Al Wehda 0-3 Al Nassr

Offside! Mexican referee Fernando Guerrero takes a look at the pitchside monitor and adjudges Cristiano Ronaldo to have strayed beyond the defence when that ball went into the box.

65 mins: Al Wehda 0-4 Al Nassr

Late as you like, there's a VAR check on that goal. It appears to centre around a challenge by Talisca, but it could also be to decide whether Cristiano Ronaldo was offside when the ball went into the box.

62 mins: GOAL – Al Wehda 0-4 Al Nassr (Talisca)

That surely seals victory for Al Nassr!

Alex Telles curls an inswinging cross into the far side of the penalty area from the left channel. Talisca is perhaps not expecting to be unchallenged, the ball bouncing in off his thigh.

That's nine goals in eight Saudi Pro League appearances and 18 in 14 overall for the Brazilian this season.

61 mins: Al Wehda 0-3 Al Nassr

Not a good second half for Waleed Bakshween so far. The man who unwittingly supplied Cristiano Ronaldo with his goal is now booked for a daft late challenge on Marcelo Brozovic.

60 mins: Al Wehda 0-3 Al Nassr

Al Nassr are slowing the tempo down. They've had 57% of possession and played almost 100 passes more than Al Wehda.

57 mins: Al Wehda 0-3 Al Nassr

Let's take a look at that Cristiano Ronaldo goal. Gift-wrapped.

54 mins: Al Wehda 0-3 Al Nassr

Talisca thunders down the right, reaches the edge of the penalty area and is crowded out.

Al Wehda then create an opportunity on the edge of the Al Nassr penalty area, Anselmo playing in Craig Goodwin, who curls an effort into Munir Mohamedi's gloves.

52 mins: Al Wehda 0-3 Al Nassr

As much as the game appears to now be up for Al Wehda after that calamitous sequence of errors, they do at least have an effort on target to their count now.

Anselmo takes aim from outside the penalty area. Nawaf Alaqidi claims comfortably.

49 mins: GOAL – Al Wehda 0-3 Al Nassr (Cristiano Ronaldo)

Comedy goal! Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself in front of goal but drills a low shot wide of the far post.

Al Wehda then make a complete hash of the resulting goal-kick, playing sloppy short passes around inside their own penalty area.

They're nearly closed down, and a ricochet spins up into the air. Waleed Bakshween tries to head the ball back to his goalkeeper from the edge of the box, only playing in Ronaldo, who slots in.

46 mins: Al Wehda 0-2 Al Nassr

Otavio clumsily concedes a foul in a useful position for Al Wehda. One of the patterns of the first half continues as their cross into the penalty area is headed clear in fairly routine style.

Halftime: Al Wehda 0-2 Al Nassr

The scoreline at the break perhaps flatters Al Nassr a little. Al Wehda's issue is that, despite having four of the 10 attempts at goal between these two teams, they still haven't hit the target yet, which is what Alex Telles and Abdulelah Al-Amri did at opposite ends of the first half to put their side in control.

Al Nassr have conceded in nine of their last 11 games, letting in at least two in three of their last seven. The hosts aren't out of this yet, but they need to start taking their chances and hope the second-placed visitors don't become more dominant.

43 mins: Al Wehda 0-2 Al Nassr

Ronaldo wins a freekick on the halfway line after being knocked off the ball by Oscar Duarte. The striker sits on the floor and puffs out his cheeks, then appears to ask the Costa Rican what he's playing at.

The usual from Ronaldo, in other words. Humming theatricality.

40 mins: Al Wehda 0-2 Al Nassr

Al Wehda tune out somewhat when faced with a corner. Marcelo Brozovic takes it shot, receives the return pass and guides a cross towards the far post.

Defender Abdulelah Al-Amri is there to rise powerfully ahead of Oscar Duarte and steer his header past Munir Mohamedi via a post.

39 mins: GOAL – Al Wehda 0-2 Al Nassr (Abdulelah Al-Amri)

That will cheer Luis Castro up!

38 mins: Al Wehda 0-1 Al Nassr

Luis Castro is clearly not best pleased with what he's seeing from his side. Justifiably, too, as Al Wehda have repeatedly threatened.

Al Nassr can't afford to drop points as they chase down Al Hilal's substantial lead at the top of the table.

36 mins: Al Wehda 0-1 Al Nassr

Craig Goodwin lifts a shot well clear of the crossbar from distance for Al Wehda. As spectacular as it would have been had he scored from there, it also feels a little wasteful of possession in a promising area.

34 mins: Al Wehda 0-1 Al Nassr

Odion Ighalo lashes a shot into the side netting from a tight angle for Al Wehda! The chance is created by some delightful, intricate passing between Ighalo and Craig Goodwin, bypassing their markers with first-time exchanges.

An offside flag has been raised.

31 mins: Al Wehda 0-1 Al Nassr

Another view of Alex Telles' strike for that goal...

28 mins: Al Wehda 0-1 Al Nassr

Good save! It's hallmark fare from Cristiano Ronaldo, blasting a bending, true strike towards goal which would probably take out a brick wall, were it to hit one.

As it is, goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi does well to beat the shot away firmly from the far corner of his net.

27 mins: Al Wehda 0-1 Al Nassr

Al Wehda have been having the better of this game again, but Al Nassr now win a freekick very close to where Alex Telles scored the opener from.

You suspect Cristiano Ronaldo will hit this one.

24 mins: Al Wehda 0-1 Al Nassr

Al Wehda almost equalise!

Faycal Fajr whips in an excellent corner, and centre-back Jawad El Yamiq rises highest to send a header towards goal. It bounces narrowly wide.

21 mins: Al Wehda 0-1 Al Nassr

Great save! Sadio Mane meets a cross from the right in space in front of goal, nodding his header down into the turf and up.

Munir Mohamedi is equal to the effort, tipping it over the crossbar. Mane will feel he should have done better – had he powered that straight at goal rather than downwards first, he might have given the goalkeeper no chance.

18 mins: Al Wehda 0-1 Al Nassr

Islam Hawsawi is the latest Al Wehda player to sling a promising cross into the Al Nassr penalty area. They're not really threatening to get on the end of these deliveries, though, and Al Nassr are defending well – which they haven't always done this season.

15 mins: Al Wehda 0-1 Al Nassr

That goal was a bit harsh on Al Wehda, who'd had the better of the opening exchanges. Replays show Alex Telles kissed the ball as he put it down, which might have given them a clue as to the identity of the player who was about to hit it.

And what a hit it was.

12 mins: Al Wehda 0-1 Al Nassr

The Al Wehda defence didn't look like they were expecting that. An infringement was adjudged to have taken place from that Talisca shot - perhaps for handball by a home player - landing Al Nassr with a freekick slightly to the right and just outside the penalty area.

Cristiano Ronaldo is over it, and Al Wehda appeared to have been expecting him to hit it. As it was, Alex Telles curled a precise strike towards the far corner of Munir Mohamedi's net.

The goalkeeper had already taken a step in the opposite direction, clearly suspecting that the freekick would be curled towards there. That leaves him with no chance of readjusting in time to thwart Telles, who surges off towards the corner flag to celebrate!

11 mins: GOAL – Al Wehda 0-1 Al Nassr (Alex Telles)

Great strike!

Watch:

10 mins: Al Wehda 0-0 Al Nassr

Al Nassr chances have been rare during these first 10 minutes, but they have what is probably their best one so far now.

After Saeed Al Mowalad launches a throw into the visitors' box, Sadio Mane starts a break that culminates in Talisca curling a shot into goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi's arms from distance.

7 mins: Al Wehda 0-0 Al Nassr

This has been a bright start for Al Wehda, who don't look like a side willing to let Cristiano Ronaldo score a hatful of goals against them, as they did last season.

This time they win a throw-in near the corner flag on the right.

4 mins: Al Wehda 0-0 Al Nassr

A nervy moment for Al Nassr! Abdulaziz Noor charges past Alex Telles on the right and whips a dangerous cross into the penalty area in search of former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo in front of goal.

Al Nassr deal with the danger effectively but that's a warning sign.

3 mins: Al Wehda 0-0 Al Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo's first duty is to head a cross away. Al Wehda then send another delivery - this time from the right - behind.

Al Nassr manager Luis Castro is already off his seat, wearing a polo shirt that appears to be olive with white trim.

1 min: Al Wehda 0-0 Al Nassr

Someone is singing through what sounds like a megaphone and noisy drumming is audible as the match kicks off, Al Nassr keeping possession during the first minute.

5 mins to kickoff: The players are in the tunnel! Al Wehda are in red, while Al Nassr are in their dark blue and yellow change strip.

Mexican referee Fernando Guerrero leads the players out across a running track. There's a large contingent of Al Nassr supporters in the stands.

20 mins to kickoff: The warm-ups are well underway!

40 mins to kickoff: Here's how Al Nassr arrived as they aim for a seventh successive victory in all competitions. They've won 16 of their last 17 matches.

1 hour to kickoff: Team news! As usual, it's a somewhat useful-looking Al Nassr attack. Here's how they start, including Ronaldo following the rest he received when they won at Al Duhail on Tuesday.

1 hour 20 mins to kickoff: Look who's here! Only Aleksandar Mitrovic (10) and Cristiano Ronaldo (12) have more Saudi Pro League goals than Talisca this season, who's level with Karim Benzema on eight.

1 hour 40 mins to kickoff: Just when Al Nassr might have thought leaders Al Hilal were set to drop points in their match yesterday, two late goals dashed those hopes.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored the first against Al Taawoun in the 81st minute. Mohammed Kanno then added the second with a wonderstrike in added time. Woof!

2 hours to kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of today's Saudi Pro League match between Al Wehda and Al Nassr.

Al Nassr are the top scorers this season with 33 goals in the opening 12 matchdays, and they will fancy their chances of a result against opponents whose goal difference is negative despite being eighth in the table.

Al Wehda vs Al Nassr lineups & team news

Al Wehda head coach Giorgos Donis did not confirm any fresh injury issues following their 2-1 win at Al Hazm last time out.

Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo led the hosts' attack, backed up by Australian veteran Craig Goodwin.

Al Wehda starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Mohamedi (GK) — Bakshween, Yamiq, Duarte, Hawsawi — Anselmo, Fajr — Al Mowalad, Goodwin, Noor — Ighalo.

Ronaldo returned to captain Al Nassr after missing out in Qatar, forming a formidable front three with Talisca and Sadio Mane.

Former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte was sidelined by injury.

Al Nassr starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Alaqidi (GK) — Sultan, Amri, Fatil, Telles — Brozovic, Sami — Otavio, Talisca, Mane — Ronaldo.

Al Wehda vs Al Nassr live stream, TV channel

  TV channel Streaming
USA Fox Soccer Plus Fubo
Australia  — 10 Play
Canada  — DAZN
UK  — DAZN
India  — Shahid
New Zealand  — Shahid
Malaysia  — SPOTV
Singapore  — SPOTV
Hong Kong  — SPOTV

Ben Miller

Ben Miller Photo

Ben Miller has been writing about sport for 25 years, following all levels of football as well as boxing, MMA, athletics and tennis. He’s seen five promotions, three relegations, one World Cup winner and home games in at least three different stadiums as a result of his lifelong devotion to Brighton & Hove Albion. His main aim each week is to cover at least one game or event that does not require a last-minute rewrite.