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Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals in two games in 2024 as Al Nassr resumed Saudi Pro League duties with a 2-1 win over Al Fateh on February 17.
The Portuguese great scored in his first competitive start of 2024 this week. His goal gave Al Nassr a 1-0 victory over fellow Saudi Al Feiha in the first leg of the AFC Champions League.
Ronaldo broke the deadlock once again on Saturday, producing a fine first-half finish, but Al Nassr’s lead only lasted 12 minutes before Salem Al Najdi unleashed a powerful shot past substitute goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah.
Al Nassr was far from convincing after the break, but a revealing moment of quality ended up sealing the points: Otávio, Ronaldo’s compatriot, scored with a powerful header midway through the second half. Luis Castro’s team is now four points behind unbeaten league leaders Al Hilal, who have a game in hand.
Final result Al Nassr vs Al Fateh
| Full time | Scorers | |
| Al-Nassr | 2 | Ronaldo (17′), Octavio (72′) |
| Al-Fateh | 1 | Al-Najdi (29′) |
Confirmed lineups:
Al-Nassr (4-2-3-1, from right to left): 36. Raghid Al Najjar (33. Waleed Abdullah, 26′) (GK) – 2. Sultan Al Ghanam (5. Abdulelah Al Amri, 81′) 78. Ali Alawjami, 27. Aymeric Laporte, 15. Alex Telles – 17. Abdullah Al Khaibari, 77. Marcelo Brozovic – 94. Anderson Talisca, 25. Otavio (14. Sami Al Najei, 90+4′)10. Sadio Mané — 7. Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al Fateh (4-2-3-1, from right to left): 1. Jacob Rinne (Goalkeeper) – 2. Ali Al Zubaidi, 64. Jason Denayer, 17. Marwane Saadane, 83. Salem Al Najdi – 7. Mukhtar Ali, 28. Sofiane Bendebka (87. Qassim Alawjami, 89′) — 11. Murad Batna, 10. Lucas Zelarayán, 37. Cristian Tello (49. Saad Fahad Al Sharfa, 79′) — 21. Djaniny (66. Abbas Al Hassan, 68′)
FURTHER: Al Nassr’s full schedule for 2024
Ronaldo sweetly connected with Sultan Al Ghanam’s low cross to give his team the lead, the 39-year-old getting to the ball ahead of his marker, former Manchester City and Lyon defender Jason Denayer.
However, Al Nassr has looked a bit suspect in defense for much of this season, and a draw never looked like a surprise. It came just before the half-hour mark, when Al Najdi’s left-footed shot from the edge of the area proved too powerful for Abdullah, who had only replaced the injured Raghid Al Najjar three minutes earlier.
Al Nassr was indebted to the veteran Saudi goalkeeper for preventing Al Fateh from taking a surprise lead before Otávio headed superbly from another fine pass from Al Ghanam, arguably the home team’s most hard-working and consistent player in recent months.
The visitors never really threatened a second goal as Al Nassr saw nine minutes of added time thanks in part to Ronaldo’s defensive efforts, the forward harassing Al Fateh’s defensive line well and doing his best to prevent any attack late.
The title race is still in the hands of Al Hilal, but as long as Ronaldo can maintain this scoring pace, Al Nassr will remain in the fight.
Al Nassr vs Al Fateh highlights
Sporting News will update this page when official highlights become available.
Al Nassr vs Al Fateh Lineups
Al Nassr head coach Luis Castro could have tried to use Ronaldo for a limited time in this match before the clash with Al Feiha in midweek, but his star striker ended up playing the entire match.
Australia international Aziz Behich He got his first taste of Saudi Pro League action after joining on loan from Melbourne City, with Sadio Mane back on the team.
Al Nassr starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Al-Najjar (GK) – Al Ghanam, A. Alawjami, Laporte, Behich – Al Khaibari, Brozovic – Talisca, Otavio, Mane – Ronaldo.
Al Nassr Substitutes: Al Fatil, Al Amri, Al Sulaiheem, Boushal, Al Najei, Alhassan, Yahya, Abdullah, Al Aliwa
Al Fateh are clearly in mid-table as the Saudi Pro League season restarts with the former Barcelona winger Cristian Tello the prominent name on your team.
Al Fateh starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Rinne (Goalkeeper) – Al Zubaidi, Denayer, Saadane, Al Najdi – Ali, Bendebka – Batna, Zelarayan, Tello – Djaniny
Al Fateh Substitutes: Al Harbi, Al Mousa, Al Saeed, Al Daheem, Al Masoud, Al Sharfa, Al Anzi, Al Hassan, Q. Alawjami
Al Nassr vs Al Fateh live stream, TV channel
Here’s how that time translates in some of the most important territories:
| television channel | Transmission | |
| USA | Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Deportes | fuboFox Sports App/Website |
| Australia | — | 10 play |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| United Kingdom | DAZN 1 | DAZN |
| India | Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 5 | JioTV, SonyLIV |
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