In an AFC Champions League Elite match, Al Nassr suffered a narrow defeat to Al-Sadd, highlighting the team’s challenges without Cristiano Ronaldo on the field.
The competition holds significant importance for Al Nassr, but their recent performance fell short, ending in a disappointing home loss. Despite dominating much of the game, Stefano Pioli’s side couldn’t secure the expected victory.
A tight match slips away in stoppage time
The second half brought action to the scoreboard, starting with Akram Afif’s 53rd-minute goal that gave Al-Sadd the lead. Al Nassr fought hard to respond, eventually equalizing in the 80th minute through an own goal by Romain Saïss.
One final chapter in 2024 📖
All in for the win! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/NG43hlQxMj— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) December 3, 2024
However, the game took a devastating turn deep into stoppage time. A costly penalty in the 90+9th minute allowed Adam Ounas to convert and seal the 2-1 victory for Al-Sadd, leaving Al Nassr empty-handed.
Ronaldo’s absence felt
The result underscores Al Nassr’s struggles in front of goal without Cristiano Ronaldo, whose presence has been critical for the team’s offensive effectiveness. Looking ahead, the focus will be on regrouping and hoping Ronaldo returns to bolster their chances in the next fixture.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the cornerstone of this team. While his goal-scoring contributions are crucial, it’s his commitment on the field that truly stands out. As a leader, he consistently drives the team toward victory. However, his absence has significant consequences, often leading to defeats in matches.
