Ronaldo Misses Penalty and Limps Off — But Al-Nassr Win 3-1 and Retake SPLeague Top Spot

Al-Nassr kept their Saudi Pro League title hopes in sharp focus on Saturday night, coming from behind to beat Al-Fayha 3-1 and move back to the summit — but the victory came with genuine concern over Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness.

The 41-year-old had a night to forget before it turned good. He ballooned an eighth-minute penalty wide, cut a frustrated figure through much of the match, and eventually limped off late on with what appeared to be a hamstring problem. His replacement, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, made him feel better almost immediately — scoring the goal that confirmed three points and sent Al-Nassr back above Al-Ahli to the top of the table.

For fans following the Saudi Pro League title race, Saturday night confirmed one thing: this race is not done and will not be tidy.

Goals at a Glance

How the Match Unfolded

Al-Nassr went into the fixture knowing Al-Ahli had already claimed three points from Al-Riyadh on Thursday. The pressure to respond was real.

It could not have started worse. With eight minutes on the clock, Mohamed Simakan hit the deck inside the Al-Fayha box following minimal contact from Mikel Villanueva. The referee pointed to the spot. Ronaldo stepped up and sent the penalty wide of the left post — a rare miss that let Al-Fayha’s belief soar.

The home side had reason to feel hard done by before the penalty even arrived. Marcelo Brozovic appeared to headbutt an opponent midway through the first half and escaped without punishment, another decision that infuriated the hosts. But Al-Fayha made their point on the pitch instead.

Just before half-time, Fashion Sakala found overlapping right-back Rakan Kaabi. His low cross caused chaos and Abdulelah Al-Amri turned the ball past Bento into his own net. Al-Fayha went into the break 1-0 up, completely against the pre-match script.

The Comeback

Al-Nassr needed a reaction in the second half and Jorge Jesus’s side eventually found one, even if it took 72 minutes to arrive.

Chris Smalling was extraordinary in the heart of the Al-Fayha defence — marshalling Ronaldo out of the game, winning headers, making blocks, producing a perfectly timed challenge on the Portuguese forward shortly after the interval. The former Manchester United and Roma centre-back was the standout player on the pitch for large portions of this match.

But Smalling and his teammates could not hold out forever. Sultan Al-Ghannam drove down the right flank and picked out Kingsley Coman, whose low cross found Sadio Mane at the back post. The Senegalese forward tapped in from close range to level at 1-1 on 72 minutes.

Al-Nassr pressed for a winner. On 80 minutes, a corner eventually dropped to Joao Felix on the edge of the box. His shot struck the upright, bounced back onto goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, and went into the net. Fortune favoured the visitors, but they had kept pushing until it did.

Al-Hamdan came on as Ronaldo was helped off and made the result safe, finishing to complete what had been a disjointed but ultimately decisive away performance.

Ronaldo: Concern Beyond the Missed Penalty

The penalty miss will draw the headlines, but the bigger concern coming out of Al-Majma’ah is Ronaldo’s hamstring. He was visibly uncomfortable as he left the field and Al-Nassr’s medical team will now assess whether he can feature in the club’s next fixture.

With the Saudi Pro League title race entering its most critical stretch, losing Ronaldo for any significant period would change the dynamics considerably. Before the injury, he looked off the pace — arms waving, visibly frustrated when balls did not reach him, contributing little to the attacking structure that carried Al-Nassr through much of the second half.

That said, the team found another gear without him. Mane’s tap-in, the fortune of the Felix deflection, and Al-Hamdan’s finish showed that Al-Nassr are not a one-man operation — even if that one man remains the most watched player in the league.

Player of the Match: Chris Smalling

Nobody on the Al-Fayha team sheet put in a better shift than the Englishman. Smalling, 35, was dominant. He read Ronaldo’s movement brilliantly throughout, producing a standout tackle on the Portuguese forward that halted one of Al-Nassr’s most dangerous moments after the break. He organised the defensive line, won his aerial battles, and ensured that Al-Nassr’s blunt first-half attack barely created a clear chance. The result did not go his way, but his individual performance was the most complete on the night.

Title Race Standings After Matchweek 21

Approximate standings. Official figures to be confirmed after all MW21 fixtures complete.

With this result, Al-Nassr return to the top of the Saudi Pro League standings. Al-Hilal remain in the hunt, and Al-Ahli — who had briefly taken first place after their win on Thursday — drop back behind Al-Nassr. The gap at the top remains tight enough that no team can afford a slip.

Brendan Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiah continue to lurk, unbeaten across a lengthy run, and have a game in hand that could further tighten the standings if they take advantage.

Jorge Jesus — who himself led Al-Hilal to the 2024 Saudi Pro League title before taking the Al-Nassr job — now has his side back where they need to be. But a Ronaldo injury scare at this stage of the season is the one complication nobody at Al-Awwal Park needed.

What Happens Next

Al-Nassr’s medical team will provide an update on Ronaldo’s hamstring in the coming days. If the injury is minor, he could feature in the club’s next fixture. If it requires rest, Jesus will need to rely on the squad depth that carried them through the second half on Saturday.

Al-Hilal, still unbeaten in the league, have their own fixture to navigate before this round is complete. The coming weeks will decide whether Al-Nassr’s position at the top of the table is a statement or a brief visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Cristiano Ronaldo score against Al-Fayha?

No. Ronaldo missed a first-half penalty and did not score. He was substituted late in the match with an apparent hamstring problem. His replacement, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, scored the fourth goal.

Who scored for Al-Nassr in the 3-1 win over Al-Fayha?

Al-Fayha’s Abdulelah Al-Amri turned the ball into his own net to level the scores. Sadio Mane added the second, Joao Felix’s effort deflected in off goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera for the third, and Al-Hamdan sealed it with the fourth.

Are Al-Nassr top of the Saudi Pro League after beating Al-Fayha?

Yes. The 3-1 win moved Al-Nassr back to the top of the Saudi Pro League table, above Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal.

How serious is Ronaldo’s injury from the Al-Fayha match?

The exact nature of the injury has not been confirmed. He appeared to feel something in his hamstring late in the game. An official update is expected from Al-Nassr’s medical staff ahead of their next fixture.

Who was the best player in Al-Nassr vs Al-Fayha?

Chris Smalling of Al-Fayha was the standout performer, keeping Ronaldo quiet and organising a disciplined defensive shape for most of the match. Sadio Mane was Al-Nassr’s most effective player in the second half.

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