Cristiano Ronaldo made it two goals in two games in 2024 as Al Nassr resumed Saudi Pro League duties with a 2-1 win over Al Fateh on Februarry 17.
The Portugal great scored on his first competitive start of 2024 this week, his goal giving Al Nassr a 1-0 win over fellow Saudi side Al Feiha in the first leg of their AFC Champions League tie.
Ronaldo broke the deadlock once more on Saturday, sweeping home a fine first-time finish, but Al Nassr's lead only lasted 12 minutes before Salem Al Najdi struck a fierce shot past substitute goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah.
Al Nassr were far from convincing in the second half but a telling moment of quality ended up sealing the points, Ronaldo's compatriot Otavio turning in a powerful diving header midway through the second half. Luis Castro's team are now four points behind unbeaten league leaders Al Hilal, who have a game in hand.
Al Nassr vs Al Fateh final score Fulltime Goal scorers Al Nassr 2 Ronaldo (17'), Otavio (72') Al Fateh 1 Al Najdi (29')Confirmed lineups:
Al Nassr (4-2-3-1, 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 Mane — 7. Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al Fateh (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Jacob Rinne (GK) — 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 Zelarayan, 37. Cristian Tello (49. Saad Fahad Al Sharfa, 79') — 21. Djaniny (66. Abbas Al Hassan, 68')
MORE: Al Nassr's complete fixture list for 2024
Ronaldo connected sweetly with a low cross from Sultan Al Ghanam to give his side the lead, the 39-year-old just getting to the ball ahead of his marker, Jason Denayer, the former Manchester City and Lyon defender.
Al Nassr have looked a little suspect in defence for much of this season, though, and it never felt like an equaliser would be a surprise. It duly arrived just before the half-hour mark, Al Najdi's left-foot strike from the edge of the box proving too powerful for Abdullah, who had only come on for the injured Raghid Al Najjar three minutes earlier.
Al Nassr were actually indebted to the veteran Saudi goalkeeper for preventing Al Fateh from snatching a surprise lead before Otavio superbly headed in another good delivery from Al Ghanam, arguably the home side's most industrious and consistent player in the past couple of months.
The visitors never truly threatened a second goal as Al Nassr saw out nine minutes of added time thanks in part to Ronaldo's defensive efforts, the forward harrying the Al Fateh back line well and doing his utmost to prevent any late attacks.
The title race is still in Al Hilal's hands, but as long as Ronaldo can keep up this scoring rate, Al Nassr will remain well in the hunt.
Al Nassr vs Al Fateh highlightsThe Sporting News will update this page when official highlights become available.
Al Nassr vs Al Fateh lineupsAl Nassr head coach Luis Castro could have looked to use Ronaldo for a limited amount of time in this game ahead of the clash with Al Feiha in midweek, but his star forward ended up playing the whole game.
Australia international Aziz Behich got his first taste of Saudi Pro League action after joining on loan from Melbourne City, with Sadio Mane back in 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 subs: Al Fatil, Al Amri, Al Sulaiheem, Boushal, Al Najei, Alhassan, Yahya, Abdullah, Al Aliwa
Al Fateh find themselves neatly placed in mid-table as the Saudi Pro League season restarts with former Barcelona winger Cristian Tello the standout name in their squad.
Al Fateh starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Rinne (GK) — Al Zubaidi, Denayer, Saadane, Al Najdi — Ali, Bendebka — Batna, Zelarayan, Tello — Djaniny
Al Fateh subs: 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 channelHere's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
TV channel Streaming USA Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Deportes Fubo, Fox Sports app/website Australia — 10 Play Canada — DAZN UK DAZN 1 DAZN India Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 5 JioTV, Sony LIV
