Al Nassr vs Abha live score, result, updates, highlights from Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Pro League match

By | October 6, 2023
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Al Nassr’s slow start to the season put them in a precarious position with little room for error in the Saudi Pro League title race, but they’ve found their stride and can place themselves amongst those at the top as they host relegation-threatened Abha on Friday.

Cristiano Ronaldo has bagged 10 goals through the first eight games of the season, having scored at least once in each of his last six appearances.

With his leadership up front, Al Nassr shook off their two defeats to begin league play, winning the next six on the trot. They still have ground to make up at the top, sitting four points off the top of the table in fourth, but if they can continue that streak, they should close the distance in time.

Abha have a few recognisable names secured this summer from European clubs, but four consecutive defeats have seen them tumble into 16th place, the first relegation spot in the 18-team table. Points of any kind in this match would see them likely rise out of the drop zone, at least for now.

MORE: Saudi Pro League top goal scorers as Cristiano Ronaldo chases Golden Boot award

The Sporting News is following the Al Nassr vs Abha match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Al Nassr vs Abha live score

  Score (HT) Goal scorers
Al Nassr 2 Otavio (3′),
Talisca (29′)
Abha 1 Bguir (36′)

Kickoff: 6 p.m. local (11 a.m. ET / 4 p.m. UK)
Location: King Saud University Stadium (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Referee: Mario Alberto Escobar Toca (GUA)

Starting lineups:

Al Nassr (4-2-3-1, right to left): 44. Alaqidi (GK) — 2. Al Ghanam, 78. Lajami, 27. Laporte, 15. Telles — 17. Al Khaibari, 77. Brozovic — 94. Talisca, 25. Otavio, 10. Mane — 7. Ronaldo.

Abha (4-2-3-1, right to left): 16. Tatarusanu (GK) — 17. Al Qumayzi, 18. Noguera, 6. Hbeab, 3. Naji — 21. Sudani, 5. Krychowiak — 10. Bguir, 8. Matic, 11. Kamano — 7. Toko Ekambi.

Al Nassr vs Abha live updates, highlights, commentary

HALFTIME: Al Nassr 2-1 Abha

The hosts were in control nearly the entire first 45 minutes, but a few defensive errors have seen Abha back into the match late. Goals from Otavio and Anderson Talisca put Al Nassr 2-0 up, and it felt as if that would only get worse as the match went on.

However, Otavio conceded a silly penalty to put Abha on the board through Saad Bguir, and then a few other nervy moments at the back for Al Nassr will see them worried slightly that the lead could completely fall apart.

Still, on the whole, they are completely in control and should manage to see this out if things continue.

Al Nassr vs Abha: First Half

45+5 min: Chance, Al Nassr! Cristiano Ronaldo hits the crossbar with a header! He meets a lateral cross from the right flank at the far post, and from a tight angle he heads on goal but clatters the woodwork. Close!

45+3 min: Chance, Abha! Zakaria Al Sudani puts it over with a glorious chance to equalise! On a free-kick, the delivery is dropped in a bucket at the far post, and then headed centrally to the Abha midfielder who contorts his body to his the ball with a scissor kick. Yet somehow he blasts it high over the crossbar from about six yards out! What a chance missed!

45+1 min: WHAT A TACKLE BY ALI LAJAMI!! Karl Toko Ekambi forces a mistake by Sultan Al Ghanam in possession and is clean through on goal, but Lajami comes out of NOWHERE to slide in and take the ball off Toko Ekambi’s feet as he prepared to shoot! That was a sure goal for Abha taken away in one deft move!

44th min: The Abha defensive unit has performed well today while under heavy pressure, despite the two goals conceded. Ahmad Al Hbeab has been especially impressive, and here he manages to win the ball despite laying flat on the ground and surrounded by two Al Nassr attackers.

38th min: Al Nassr have a dangerous free-kick chance after Otavio clowns a defender with a bit of tekkers and is felled for his efforts. Cristiano Ronaldo is not on the set-piece, as instead Anderson Talisca stands over the ball which is about 23 yards from goal.

The Brazilian takes aim but blasts his hit into the wall.

33rd min: PENALTY, ABHA! Otavio has a moment of madness, and barrels over Zakaria Al Sudani as he prepares to strike a ball in the air. It’s a moronic decision by the Al Nassr playmaker, and the referee points directly to the spot. VAR has a review of the decision, but the penalty stands.

Stepping up to take is Saad Bguir and he scores! GOAL! ABHA! He sends Nawaf Al Aqidi the wrong way and buries the penalty inside the left post!

Watch in USA:

29th min: GOAL! AL NASSR! Anderson Talisca doubles the lead for the hosts! Cristiano Ronaldo starts the move at the top of the penalty area, feeding Sadio Mane out wide left. The Senegal international fires a right-footed cross to Talisca streaking on goal, and he finishes calmly with one touch.

Watch in USA:

24th min: Al Nassr continue to cook in the penalty area, as Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo all get on the ball as they build, but a shot eventually flies wide as Ronaldo takes the ball off a teammate’s feet.

At the other end, Al Nassr goalkeeper Alaqidi nearly has his pocket picked by Karl Toko Ekambi in possession, but he deftly steps to his left and sees the Abha striker go flying by.

18th min: Only a great tackle by Ahmad Al Hbeab keeps Anderson Talisca from being clean through on goal, and he wins the goal kick as well after the ball clips off Talisca last before skittering over the goal line. The Abha defence is under total siege right now.

16th min: Chance, Al Nassr! It’s an onslaught from the hosts right now, as Anderson Talisca fires a curling left-footed effort just wide of the near post! The goalkeeper was nowhere near the shot, meaning that’s in the net if it’s on frame!

14th min: Chance, Al Nassr! Cristiano Ronaldo puts a trademark header over the crossbar! He rose high, as he is well-known to do, and met a lateral cross from the right, but its thundered over the woodwork! A chance missed for the Saudi Pro League goals leader.

13th min: Al Nassr are into the attack again, and Sadio Mane threads Cristiano Ronaldo in, and with the Portuguese international on a tight angle, he cuts it back to the top of the six-yard box, but it’s cut out by the Abha defence.

6th min: Al Nassr have controlled play since the opener, and Sadio Mane has a go in front of goal but puts his shot wide left.

3rd min: GOAL! AL NASSR! Otavio has put the hosts in front just three minutes in! It’s a sumptuous goal that’s started by Cristiano Ronaldo with a delicious back-heel to Marcelo Brozovic. The Croatian holds up play for a moment before squaring to Otavio at the penalty spot, and he buries the chance!

Kickoff: The match is under way! The home fans have a special “BOOM!” message for Marcelo Brozovic. It’s a nod to his bomb tattoo on his neck, which he touches and then blows a kiss to the fans acknowledging their support.

Al Nassr vs Abha: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more

15 mins to kickoff: Cristiano Ronaldo is your Saudi Pro League player of the month for September!

30 mins to kickoff: It’s a boon for Al Nassr to have Otavio healthy and in the lineup because Marcelo Brozovic can move back to his natural No. 8 position. Seko Fofana hasn’t exactly hit the ground running at Al Nassr, so he must bide his time for a regular spot.

45 mins to kickoff: Lineups are in. Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane both start, with surprise inclusion Otavio at the No. 10 in support. It was thought the 28-year-old would miss out due to injury, but he’s proven fit for action. His availability pushes Marcelo Brozovic back in midfield, and sees Seko Fofana drop out of the side altogether.

1 hour to kickoff: Cristiano Ronaldo has arrived with the rest of the Al Nassr squad for this match! He has 10 goals in seven league games, leading the Saudi Pro League in scoring through the early portion of the year.

He has picked it up of late, with at least one goal in each of his last six, a streak started by his hat-trick against Al Fateh on August 25. It also includes a brace against Al Shabab on August 29 and another double against Al Ahli on September 22. The Portuguese star is on absolute fire at the moment.

1 hour 15 mins to kick: Al Nassr’s home venue, King Saud University Stadium, known for sponsorship reasons as Al-Awwal Park, has quite the unique look to it! The seats are adorned with cartoonish lightning bolts and the word “Boom!” in bubble letters, which are a special tifo for the fans to raise just before kickoff.

1 hour 30 mins to kickoff: Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal scoring streak has sparked a wider run of form up front for Al Nassr, as the whole squad gets going in front of goal. Outside of Ronaldo’s 10 goals, Sadio Mane has six of his own, while Anderson Talisca has four in league play, all coming in the last three matches.

Al Nassr vs Abha lineups & team news

It was thought Al Nassr would be without Portugal international Otavio for this tie, but he starts, moving Marcelo Brozovic back in midfield and bumping Seko Fofana out of the lineup. Ronaldo and Talisca have been in superb recent goal scoring form, and they continue up front.

Sadio Mane comes back into the side, having been rested in midweek, while Sultan Al Ghannam misses out with an injury and Abdulrahman Ghareeb begins on the bench.

Al Nassr starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Alaqidi (GK) — Al Ghanam, Lajami, Laporte, Telles — Al Khaibari, Brozovic — Talisca, Otavio, Mane — Ronaldo.

Al Nassr subs (9): Waleed, Fatil, Boushal, Qassem, Fofana, Sami, Khalid, Ghareeb, Ayman.

Abha head into this game inside the relegation zone. Their starting line up features recognisable names including Karl Toko Ekambi, Nemanja Matic, and Grzegorz Krychowiak, but it just hasn’t clicked for the side yet.

Abha starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Tatarusanu (GK) — Al Qumayzi, Noguera, Al Sudani, Naji — Sudani, Krychowiak — Bguir, Matic, Kamano — Toko Ekambi.

Abha subs (9): Al Shammry, Abdu, Al-Ali, Alselouli, bin Jumayah, Al Oufi, Al Kunaydiri, Al Sahafi, Al Bouq.

How to watch Al Nassr vs Abha

  TV channel Streaming
USA Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Deportes Fubo, Fox Sports App
Canada  — DAZN
UK  — DAZN
Australia  — 10 Play
India  Sony Ten 1 Sony Liv, Jio TV
Hong Kong  — SPOTV
Malaysia  — SPOTV
Singapore  — SPOTV

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