In a closely contested Saudi Pro League matchup, Al Nassr, spearheaded by star Cristiano Ronaldo, faced off against arch-rivals Al Hilal in a 1-1 draw that saw early scoring excitement and multiple disallowed goals. The Friday night clash at Al Nassr’s home stadium showcased the intensity of the rivalry, with both teams pushing to establish dominance in the league.
The game started with fireworks as Al Nassr wasted no time, scoring in the opening minute. Portuguese midfielder Otavio, known for his precise passing, delivered a curling cross to Anderson Talisca on the edge of the box. The Brazilian controlled the ball skillfully and fired a low shot into the bottom corner, putting Al Nassr up 1-0. This goal marked Talisca’s sixth in the league this season, solidifying his role as one of Al Nassr’s key offensive players. Al Hilal, however, did not back down. They increased the pressure on Al Nassr’s defense, with captain Salem Al Dawsari leading his team forward. Around the 30-minute mark, Al Dawsari had Al Hilal’s first major chance. His shot flew over the crossbar, missing by inches but signaling Al Hilal’s growing momentum.
As halftime approached, Al Hilal thought they had secured an equalizer. Aleksandar Mitrovic, positioned in front of the goal, managed to slip the ball into the net. However, the goal was quickly disallowed as Mitrovic was caught offside. The scoreline remained 1-0, with Al Nassr holding their slim lead. Just minutes later, Al Nassr was on the receiving end of an offside call. Talisca was set up by Otavio once more, but as he moved to tap the ball into the net, the linesman raised his flag. The home fans’ celebrations were cut short, and both teams went into halftime with Al Nassr still leading.
The second half resumed with Al Hilal determined to equalize, and Al Nassr defending with resilience. Talisca, eager to add another goal, found himself thwarted again. Al Hilal goalkeeper Bono made a critical save, deflecting a powerful shot from Marcelo Brozovic. Talisca managed to net the rebound, but once more, the flag went up, signaling an offside. The goal was chalked off, and Al Nassr’s frustration grew as another opportunity slipped away. Al Hilal continued to press, and in the 57th minute, their persistence paid off. Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, a vital presence in Al Hilal’s lineup, scored the equalizer. A precise pass into the box allowed Milinkovic-Savic to break free from Al Nassr’s defense, and his shot was unstoppable as it found the back of the net, leveling the game at 1-1.
The remainder of the match saw both teams seeking a decisive goal, with Al Nassr relying heavily on Ronaldo to spark their attack. Despite several attempts and moments of tension, neither side could break the deadlock. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams sharing the points. Al Nassr will see the result as a missed opportunity to claim a statement victory, while Al Hilal can feel satisfied with a hard-earned point against their fierce rivals.
This intense showdown reflects the high stakes and fierce competition within the Saudi Pro League this season. With the race for the title tightening, every point counts, and this draw leaves both Al Nassr and Al Hilal poised for a challenging path ahead in their pursuit of league glory.