Al-Ittihad vs Al-Nassr summary: score, goals, highlights, | Saudi Pro League 2023
Al-Ittihad v Al-Nassr: as it happened
The Tigers prove too much for Cristiano & Co.
It was a hot night at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but the heat on the pitch was probably even higher. With important points in the title race between the two giants at stake, the match started out with a frantic pace.
Yet it's got to be said, that it was 2nd placed Al Ittihad who found their footing sooner than their opponents. Indeed, from quite early on Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, could be seen remonstrating with his teammates, as he encouraged them to calm down when in possession.
Unfortunately for the five-time world player of the year, his guidance and experience weren't enough to stop a classy counter attack by the Tigers, which ended with an even better finish from the man who appeared to be their talisman on the night, Romarinho.
With the result, Al Ittihad now have a one point lead over Al Nassr - 47 and 46 respectively - as they head into the home stretch of the season. Needless to say, this campaign is going to go to the wire.
It's all over and with that, Al Ittihad have blown the title race wide open following a 1-0 defeat of eternal rivals Al Nassr!
As we come tot he end of added time, Cristiano Ronaldo can only look on in despair. Surely not what he had in mind for this night.
Following the goal kick Al Nassr try to get going once again, but they've conceded a throw in deep in their own half. Not good.
With under 2 minutes left, Al Ittihad have managed to usher the ball out of play. They will have have a goal kick and with that, it's beginning to look like Al Nassr are going to lose this one.
With precious few minutes now, Al Nassr are watching their lead over Al Ittihad in the standings slip away.
A well worked move across the top of the box finds Cristiano Ronaldo to the left of the goal and though the superstar is able to put his boot through the ball, it's directly at the keeper. We will have a corner.
Al Nassr have the ball once again and are pressing through Cristiano Ronaldo, but his cross finds nobody in the middle. Al Nassr will have a throw from the left side. The clock ticks on!
Following a heavy foul, Al Ittihad take their freekick. Needless to say, they're in no hurry to do so.
We're in the 90th minute and we will have 7 minutes of stoppage time
Al Ittihad have now camped their entire team in their own half, which would suggest they intend to grind this one out. Barring any late surprises, this will go down as a well-deserved win!
With just two minutes of regular time to play, one has to wonder if there is anymore drama left in this one.
With that, the Brazilian has seen the last of it tonight. Al Ittihad bring him off to a roar of applause. Camara replaces hime
We're seeing some desperate defending now by Al Nassr, as they are continually being picked apart in midfield. Between Coronado and Romarihno, we've seen two man of the match performances
We're inside the final 5 minutes of this one now and we can see frustration creeping into the faces of the Al Nassr players, not the least of which is Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al Ittihad are in their stride now, but what appeared to be a trip on Hamdallah in the box is waved off by the referee!
Al Nassr breathe a little easier, but replays show that could have gone either way!
Al Nassr with another change. Al-Boushail enters for Al Amri.
We're now inside the final 10 minutes and it's safe to say this game is wide open!
An just like that! After a lightning quick break, it's Al Ittihad who break the deadlock.
After a slick ball to the right side of the field, the ball was cut back to a late arriving Romarihno, whose first touch was as smooth as they come.
With just the keeper to beat, the Brazilian slid the ball home with class. 1-0!
What should have been a tap in for Al Nassr, is desperately cleared at the back post. We've got a corner. Al Nassr are trying to push back after a long spell of being outpossessed.
We've got a double change for Al Nassr with Al Hassan replacing Al Sulaiheem and Masharipov coming in for Ghareeb.
Al Ittihad are probing from the right side continuously and as said before, Coronado seems to be at the center of it all. This time a tasty cross is met by Bruno Henrique, but his header is blocked for a corner.
The Tigers are definitely in control of the pace now, while Al Nassr are defending much deeper in the face of immense pressure.
It's a case of all hands on deck at this point.
Again we can see the frustration in Cristiano Ronaldo, as he's now essentially charged with taking on the defense by himself while his teammates try to hold the fort.
Al Nassr get us started once again with a Grohe goalkick, but there is a an off the ball foul, Al Ittihad will take over and we go again.
The heat on the field isn't just metaphorical, as play is stopped for a water break. It's a hot Arabian night.
Coronado is once again the architect for Al Ittihad on the right side, but his deep cross is just that, deep. Al Nassr can breathe again.
Things are starting to become a little more rough and tumble now, but the referee has kept his whistle relatively quiet.
With the way things are going, once almost expects Al Ittihad to get on the scoresheet soon, but Al Nassr have weapons of their own and Cristiano Ronaldo is one of them.
Great play from Al Ittihad once again. They're inching closer now. After dispossessing their opponents in midfield, it was a quick ball to the right side which led to an early cross. Romarihno was the man in the middle and he obliged with a decent header, but Grohe was aware of the danger.
With that said, Coronado appears to be a little worse for wear after the challenge.
A huge shout for a penalty as Al Ittihad's Coronado attempted to slalom his way through the defense, but in the end the referee waves him to his feet with a wry smile to boot.
We've just hit the 60th minute mark and it's got to be said, Al Ittihad is in control of this game.
While it's clear that they respect the threat that Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. pose, they are in the ascendancy at this point.
We've got a change with Mohammed Marran going off for Al Najei
What a save from Al Nassr's Grohe in goal. After being played in 1 on 1 Hamdallah was just unable to round the keeper, however, there was still more to be done. The clearance only made it as far as Romarihno, who saw his follow-up shot bravely saved off the line by Al Nassr's defense. We have a corner.
In the end the Portuguese's shot sails over the bar, to the cheers of rival fans.
After a hand to the face of Sultan, Al Nassr have a freekick and as you'd expect, it's Cristiano Ronaldo to take it. Here we go!
And just like that Bruno Henrique sees a decent header drift wide of Al Nassr's goal. An opportune moment to take the lead goes begging.
For the moment Al Nassr seem content to concede the half to their opponents.
Al Ittihad with a corner! Coronado to take, but Grohe manages to clear it off his line. Al Nassr retain possession and try to build once again.
Once again Al Ittihad appear to be the calmer of the two teams on the ball, and once again its Romarihno who appears to be pulling the strings in midfield.
Cristiano Ronaldo with his first taste of action in the 2nd half. The former Real Madrid man goes on a run into the Al Ittihad defense, but he is finally crowded off the ball. The yellow and blacks start once again.
The half has started with a somewhat calmer pace. Al Nassr appear to be playing with a more compact shape, while their opponents seem to be playing with a very high defensive line.
We've had one substitution at the half for Al Nassr, with Luis Gustavo being replaced by Al Khaibari.
And away we go once again! This time it's Al Nassr who start with the ball.
One to watch
Though he hasn't got on the scoreboard tonight, it's clear it's not for lack of trying.
Indeed, Ghareeb is definitely one to watch and Al Ittihad would do well to remember that in this second half.
Breaking down the numbers
For a little more detail, the two sides have only managed to muster 5 shots between them, with Al Ittihad edging Al Nassr 3-2.
Where possesion is concerned, it's 59.3% in Al Ittihad's favor and its shown.
He's still got it
Time and time again the Portuguese superstar has proven to us that he's one of the best in the business and quite frankly, of all time.
Fierce but Fruitless
The first half between these two giants of Saudi Arabian football has been anything but boring with both sides having their fair share of possession and chances, however, none of those opportunities were truly clear cut.
What has to be said on the other hand, is that Al Ittihad has been the more settled of the two teams. With Habdallah up front and Romarihno proving a handful just behind him, the boys in yellow and black have been causing problems for their more prestigious rivals.
That's a wrap for the first half as the referee's whistle brings play to a close!
Al Nassr's Ghareeb is the target of a long ball into the offense, but it's overhit. Al Ittihad recover and mount a counter once again. Can they finish the half with a goal?
We're now in the 45th minute and we're going to have 2 minutes of added time.
Al Ittihad's Coronado is also proving to be quite the player on the night as he skips past three in the midfield before playing a decent pass to the right side.
Unfortunbately, play is called back for an off the ball collision.
We've got an Al Nassr player on the ground after what appears to have been a clash of heads.
We're approaching the end of the first half and we're still scoreless as Romarihno probes for a pocket in Al Nassr's defense.
Al Ittihad's keeper had to be aware to the danger and is only able to clear the ball just out of the area. The resulting possesion gives Ronaldo's men another crack at a cross and now we've got another corner!
Al Nassr have a free kick from the right side of their opponent's box. Here we go!
While it's understandable that some fans might look at this tie with eyebrows raised, the reality is the quality of football thus far has been something to behold.
Both teams showed an industry in midfield that would be respected anywhere anytime.
The only thing missing from this affair so far is a goal, but one has to feel it won't be long in coming.
Al Ittihad continue to creep closer to a legitimate look at goal, but thus far they have been able to truly carve out a chance.
Following a deep cross, Al Nassr are able to break, but are quickly forced back into their own defense.
Cristiano Ronaldo's frustration with his teammates is becoming evidnent.
Al Ittihad's Habdallah reminds the fans once again that he's world class, but his efforts are once again thwarted by a staunch Al Nassr backline.
The ball is cleared, but Al Ittihad come storming back once again.
If you've just joined us for this titanic tie in Saudi Arabia, we're now in the 35th minute of this match between Al Nassr and Al Ittihad. The score remains 0-0, but with the kind of intensity and flair that we've seen, it won't be so for long.
A heavy foul on Cristiano Ronaldo by Al Ittihad's Coronado, but he escapes a yellow card.
Once again Konan is at the heart of Al Nassr's attack.
It would appear that Cristiano Ronaldo has found as good a provider as he could have asked for in the Ivorian.
The game is definitely beginning to open up now, but Al Ittihad appears to just be the more composed of the two sides. Can they maintain, or will we see a goal before halftime? It's certainly starting to feel that way.
Sensational play out of midfield from Konan, who played a dinked ball to Cristiano in the box. The Portuguese foward obliged with a deft header to his trailing teammate who forced a great save out of Al Ittihad's keeper.
If they are to get something out of this game, they will need more of that!
Al Ittihad's Romarihno is proving to be as industrious a midfielder as you can find tonight. Indeed, everything productive for Al Ittihad has come from his right foot thus far.
The heat of the opening exchanges appears to have cooled off.
With that it must be said that it's now Al Ittihad that is taking more and more control of this game.
This time it's Bruno Henrique who sees his header saved after a decent Habdallah cross.
So said, so done. The fouls are beginning to come with more regularity now as we cross the 20th minute mark in this first half.
As intense as the affair has been so far, there have been relatively few fouls.
An encouraging thing to see between two teams are in essence bitter rivals.
Of course, the longer this game remains scoreless, we imagine that will change.
Almost a disastrous error for Al Nassr's keeper as he failed to make a routine catch.
Ultimately, Alqidi was able to recover the ball thereby avoiding catastrophe.
Konan is starting to show that there isn't just one star on Al Nassr's roster.
The Ivorian is playing some very technically sound football at the moment.
Al Ittihad would do well to keep an eye on his as he begins to find his footing in the midfield.
In truth these opening exchanges have been much more about pressure than they've been prolific.
It's clear neither team wants to lose this game and their fans are singing at a volume that shows it!
On gets the sense that a goal will blow this game wide open.
Al Nassr with a deep corner, but Al Ittihad clear successfully and break down the left side through Habdallah once again, the Saudi international is once again showing why he was such a star at the World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo with his first real of the action! The Portuguese star with a cheeky nutmeg in the middle of the field before mounting what should have been a counter attack. Unfortunately, his strike partner couldn't end the play with a shot on goal after his crossed ball.
Habdallah has a brilliant run down the left side, but his cut back to the penalty spot is not steered home by his teammate. Al Nassr can breathe a sigh of relief!
An Al Ittihad shot is charged down just in the nick of time and Al Nassr break with the ball, but their efforts or thwarted by a desperate tack from the left back. We've got the first corner of the game from the right side for Al Nassr. A welcome break in the frantic pace of the game so far.
These opening exchanges have been heated so far, but its Al Ittihad who have been the quicker to settle. Can they profit off of this period of possession?
With an incredibly intense atmosphere in the stadium - flares and all - one gets the sense this game is going to be anything but boring. The question of course is can Cristiano and Co. hold their rivals?
Al Nassr who are playing in white will start with the ball, while their rivals Al Ittihad will play in their traditional yellow and black strip. This is going to be special!
Time for kick off!
The teams are on the field and the atmosphere is absolutely intense. We've got the coin toss and the teams are set. Off we go!
It's almost time
With just 10 minutes to go before kickoff, we're just about set for what promises to be a titanic showdown between two of Saudi Arabia's best and biggest clubs. You'll want to stay with us throughout this one as it will definitely be a firecracker.
This is a big one!
For those who might be tempted to think that the game isn't worth watching, the amount of countries in which it's going to be broadcast should tell you something about the anticipation surrounding it.
Despite the preference for European and South American football, the beautiful game is alive and well in the middle east and there's probably no better time to see that for yourself than tonight's game. Be sure to stay with us throughout the action!
A Bitter Battle
With both men forming the backbone of their respective defenses, it will be interesting to see who can come out on top in this duel of giants.
It's not all about Cristiano Ronaldo
While the Portuguese icon is clearly the headline grabber in the match, it would be a mistake to think there isn't other immense talent on show. Having had a fantastic World Cup campaign, Al Ittihad's hitman will be looking to show once again, that he can play with the best of them.
No love lost here
With the rivalry between the teams as intense as ever, the Al Ittihad faithful made it quite clear who they have as their vote for GOAT.
Dreams do come true...
There are some things that are bigger than football and as such, it's always good to see that no matter how famous they become, players can still take time to give back to those from whom so much has been taken.
Known for his generosity when it comes to those in need and the charities that help them, the Portuguese superstar has never been hesitant to help any and everyone.
Though it surely won't remove the horrors that he faced, we imagine this young fan will take this memory with him for a long time to come.
Welcome Welcome Welcome!
Good evening to you all and a warm welcome from us here at AS USA. With all the European action going on, we understand that it's easy to forget that there is other football out there, not the least of which is the Saudi Pro League, where the Portuguese legend himself, Cristiano Ronaldo, is currently plying his trade.
This evening we've got a heated affair between Ronaldo's Al Nassr and their bitter rivals, Al Ittihad. While many will condemn the former Madrid man's foray into the Middle East's most prolific league as nothing more than a money grab, the reality is these boys can play and the former Madrid man has been among the first to acknowledge the fact.
With that said, we invite you to stay with us as we take you through the pre-match build up and then on to the action itself. Enjoy!
Al Nassr's starting 11
Here we have a look at the 11 that will face their bitter rivals this evening.
If you'd like to watch the action as opposed to just following it, then be sure to check out our guide on how and where you can do just that!.
Al Ittihad is ready
Currently in second place, Al Ittihad knows that today's game is as big as it gets, but by the looks of things, they are more than ready.
Cristiano is in the house!
Like him, love him, or hate him, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the biggest stars in the history of the world football and with good reason. The Portuguese superstar will once again take to the field this evening, as he attempts to continue his dominant form in the league which he has only recently joined, the Saudi Pro League.