Cristiano Ronaldo recorded another sad episode in his bid to land his first trophy with Al-Nassr on Thursday following a disappointing Saudi Pro League clash with arch-rivals Al-Ittihad.
The 2022/23 Saudi Pro League title race has been a two-horse race between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr.
The two teams have been going head-to-head each matchday in the race to clinch the trophy this season. Hence, the clash between the two sides must have effectively determined the destination of the 2022/23 Saudi Pro League trophy.
Al-Nassr went into the game with a two-point lead on top of the table and a narrow goal difference. They needed a victory or at least a draw to stay in pole position in the title race but King Abdullah Sports City (home ground of Al-Ittihad) was a hostile ground to eke out even a point.
It was a sturdy and dragging game between both sides. The highly competitive clash saw both sides end the first half goalless. They shared an equal number of attempts on target but it was Al-Ittihad that were hungrier for a win firing twelve shots against Al-Nassr’s six.
In the second half, the match was still barren as both sides could not break the goal deadlock until Romarinho’s late goal in the 80th minute.
Romarinho’s goal separated the tie and was enough to hand Al-Ittihad all three points. The win saw Al-Ittihad displace Al-Nassr on top of the table with a point difference after 20 games.
However, the title race is still open between the two teams, but Al-Nassr now have to race against Al-Ittihad from behind having finally relinquished their lead on the table following the defeat.
Interestingly, the Saudi giants have 10 matches remaining to the end of the season and hope the stubborn stalkers slip again for them to regain their top spot.
Cristiano Ronaldo angry, reacts to defeat
Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo who had increased his goal tally for Al-Nassr to eight goals fired blank this time And was obviously angry after the final whistle.
Seeming to mutter words out of fury, Ronaldo stormed off the pitch in anger but ensured he applauded the fans before leaving the pitch.
It is his third match, he has failed to find the back of the net for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. It is also his second time losing to Al-Ittihad this season.
Al-Ittihad had the better of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal, eliminating the team from the competition to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s closest route to his first trophy with his new club.
Now, the same club seems to have torpedoed Cristiano Ronaldo’s hope of winning the Saudi Pro League trophy. Taking to his social media handle, the former Manchester United forward wrote “Disappointed with the result, but we stay focused on our season and the games ahead. Thank you Al-Nassr fans for support we know we can count on you.”
Rudi Garcia and his big-shot signing, Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to return to winning ways when they face Abha in the King Cup of Champions Quarterfinal on Tuesday, 14 March 2022 before facing the same opponent in the league on Saturday, 18 March.
Full Highlights Al-Ittihad Vs Al-Nassr
