Georginio Wijnaldum power Al Ettifaq to a famous 3-2 away victory over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in a Saudi Pro League 2024-24 match Al Awal Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday (IST)
The match, attended by boxing legend Oleksandr Usyk, was a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in Wijnaldum’s decisive 89th-minute curler from outside the box.
The first half showcased goalkeeping brilliance, with both Marek Rodak of Ettifaq and Al Nassr’s Bento making crucial saves. Rodak denied Ronaldo on multiple occasions, while Bento produced a spectacular double save to thwart Wijnaldum and Radhi Al Otaibi in the stoppage time of first half.
Al Nassr vs Al Ettifaq Highlights
Nassr took the lead just two minutes after the restart. Ayman Yahya headed Sadio Mane’s pinpoint cross into the back of the net to break the deadlock.
In the 55th minutes, Wijnaldum took advantage of an error from Al Nassr defender Mohammed Al Fatil. The former Liverpool man rounded off Bento and calmly slotted it home to equalise. The offside flag was raised and it cut the celebration. However, after the check the goal stood.
Ten minutes later, it was redemption for Al Fatil. The defender whose mistake gifted Ettifaq the equaliser, rose the highest from the corner to give Al Nassr its lead back.
In the 81st minute, Al Fatil once again became the centre of attention after he turned the ball into his own net while trying to defend a cross from Jack Hendry.
A minute before the end of regulation time, Wijnaldum with a beautiful long range finish broke the hearts of the home supporters, including boxing legend Oleksandr Usyk, who was is in the stadium in Al Nassr shirt, to give his side its the lead for the first time.
After the goal, AL Nassr striker Jhon Duran was shown red card for an off the ball incident. The Colombian striker slapped the head of Abdulelah Almalki.
The defeat ended Al Nassr’s five-match winning streak in the league and dented its title challenge. Ronaldo’s side dropped to fourth after the result and it is now eight points behind league leader Al Ittihad, which has a game in hand.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com