Al Nassr 2-0 Al Ahli Player Ratings: Cristiano Ronaldo 8.5/10 Late Header Fires Al Nassr Eight Points Clear as Title Dream Edges Closer at Al-Awwal Park

Al Nassr came into this Saudi Pro League derby knowing that three points would push them eight points clear of Al Hilal at the summit, and despite a goalless and at times frustratingly tight first half, they delivered precisely what the title race demanded. Felix and Ronaldo combined repeatedly to probe an Al Ahli defensive block that held firm through a series of corners and set pieces, with Mendy making a sharp save to deny Ronaldo from close range in the 22nd minute as the hosts searched for the opening they needed.

The second half followed a similar pattern, controlled Al Nassr pressure met by determined Al Ahli resistance, until the moment that mattered most arrived in the 76th minute. Felix delivered a precise corner from the left, and Ronaldo arrived at the near post with the predatory timing that has defined his entire career, powering a header into the top-right corner that gave Mendy absolutely no chance.

Coman put the result beyond any doubt in the 90th minute, arriving at the back post from Yahya's headed pass following another corner to drill a composed right-footed finish into the top-right corner and complete a clean sheet that the Al Nassr defence had thoroughly earned throughout a disciplined and professional evening.

The victory moves Al Nassr eight points clear of Al Hilal with the Saudi Pro League title now firmly within their grasp, a result that Ronaldo, with typical timing and typical authority, ensured would be remembered as a defining moment in their championship push. Here are Sportsdunia's Al Nassr vs Al Ahli player ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Ronaldo's 76th-minute header was as timely as it was clinical, arriving precisely when Al Nassr needed a moment of individual quality to unlock a stubborn Al Ahli defensive block, and underscoring why the Portuguese captain remains the most important and decisive presence in the Saudi Pro League despite his age.
• Coman's stoppage-time finish was the perfect insurance goal, a composed, technically excellent strike from the back post that sealed the clean sheet, confirmed the three points, and moved Al Nassr eight points clear in a title race that now looks increasingly difficult for Al Hilal to reverse.
• Al Nassr's defensive discipline and collective patience throughout a goalless first half were the foundation upon which this victory was built, a professional and controlled performance that showed the tactical maturity of a side that understands how to manage high-stakes derby fixtures without ever losing their composure.

Al Nassr Player Ratings vs Al Ahli

Here are the Al Nassr player ratings vs Al Ahli.

Goalkeeper

Bento - 7.5: Had a relatively quiet evening, which is a credit to his defense. He made one key save inside the box and showed good command of his area. We noticed his distribution was excellent, quickly turning defense into attack. A comfortable clean sheet for the keeper.

Defenders

Mohamed Simakan - 8.0: What a beast at the back. He was an absolute wall, winning a staggering 8 out of 9 duels. From our perspective, his reading of the game was immense, making crucial interceptions and tackles. He seemed a step ahead of the attackers all game. A dominant display.

Abdulelah Al-Amri - 6.0: A slightly nervy performance from him. He picked up a needless yellow card and seemed a bit hesitant at times. He made a few important clearances but wasn't as composed as his partner. An okay performance, but not his best day.

Nawaf Boushal - 7.5: We were really impressed by his tenacity. That last-man tackle was a potential goal-saving intervention and a huge moment. He was aggressive in the tackle, winning the ball back multiple times for his team. A very solid and energetic outing.

Iñigo Martínez - 6.5: A steady, if unspectacular, performance. He did the basics right and didn't make any glaring errors. What stood out to us was how often he was a passing option, though he lost possession a few too many times. Overall, he did his job.

Midfielders

Sadio Mané - 5.5: We have to be honest, this was a disappointing showing. Mané just couldn't get into the game at all. He looked isolated and frustrated, eventually being substituted. We expected him to be a major threat, but he was completely anonymous.

Marcelo Brozović - 6.5: Kept the ball moving in midfield but wasn't his usual influential self. He tried to dictate play with his range of passing, but lost the ball more than he would've liked. A mixed bag of a performance from the Croatian.

Abdullah Al-Khaibari - 6.0: A very quiet game from him. He was neat and tidy in possession without ever really threatening to break the lines. He did his defensive duties but failed to make a significant impact on the match. A functional, but forgettable, performance.

Forwards

Cristiano Ronaldo - 8.5: The man for the big occasion. When the team needed a hero, he delivered. His header to open the scoring was pure class and broke the game wide open. As captain, he led by example, and his presence was a constant problem for the opposition. The highest-rated player and our Man of the Match.

Kingsley Coman - 8.0: He was a livewire all game. He drew four fouls, showing how much trouble he caused the defenders. His persistence paid off with a well-taken goal to kill the game. An excellent, all-action performance from the winger.

João Félix - 7.5: The creative hub for Al Nassr. He provided the assist for Coman's goal and created three chances in total. There were moments of frustration, but his vision and ability to unlock a defense were on full display. A key contributor to the win.

Substitutes

Ayman Yahya - N/A: Replaced a tired Sadio Mané late in the game but didn't have enough time to warrant a rating.

Manager

J. Pinheiro de Jesus - 7.5: His game plan worked perfectly. He kept his side disciplined and compact in a tight first half. The team came out with renewed purpose in the second, and his tactics paid off handsomely. A well-managed victory.

Al Ahli Player Ratings vs Al Nassr

Check out the Al Ahli player ratings vs Al Nassr.

Goalkeeper

Edouard Mendy - 5.5: A difficult evening for the captain. He was left exposed for both goals and only made one save all game. He didn't make any obvious errors, but he also didn't provide the commanding presence his team needed. He looked dejected by the end.

Defenders

Zakaria Hawsawi - 4.5: A performance he'll want to forget quickly. From our perspective, he was the weak link. He lost possession a shocking 14 times and struggled in his duels. A really tough day at the office for the defender.

Roger Ibañez - 5.5: He battled hard but was ultimately part of a defensive unit that conceded twice. He was a bit sloppy in possession, giving the ball away 12 times. He put in the effort, but the quality just wasn't there today.

Ali Majrashi - 6.5: One of the few bright spots for Al Ahli. He was strong in the challenge, winning 7 of his 11 duels and making some crucial tackles. He showed a lot of fight in a losing cause. A commendable effort from him.

Merih Demiral - 5.0: A frustrated figure at the back. He picked up a yellow card and seemed to be fighting a losing battle. He won a couple of aerials but was part of a defense that looked disjointed and vulnerable, especially in the second half.

Midfielders

Valentin Atangana - 5.5: He was tenacious but ultimately outclassed in the midfield battle. He committed four fouls and earned a yellow card before being substituted. It was a thankless task trying to contain Al Nassr's midfield.

Ziyad Al-Johani - 6.0: Looked tidy on the ball but lacked any real cutting edge. He kept his passing simple but couldn't provide the forward thrust his team needed. Also got a yellow card for his troubles, capping a frustrating day.

Franck Kessié - 5.0: We were so disappointed with his performance. A player of his caliber should be dominating games like this. Instead, he was a passenger, losing possession 11 times and offering very little. A really poor showing.

Forwards

Riyad Mahrez - 6.5: If anyone was going to make something happen for Al Ahli, it was him. He was clever on the ball and drew several fouls. However, he was often isolated and couldn't find that final killer pass or shot.

Galeno - 5.5: A very ineffective display. He was on the pitch for over an hour but barely made an impression. He had one shot that went wide and was otherwise a non-factor before being subbed off.

Ivan Toney - 6.0: A frustrating and lonely night for the striker. He worked hard and tried to hold the ball up, but he was starved of any decent service. He was caught offside twice, summing up his frustrating evening.

Substitutes

Firas Al-Buraikan - 6.0: Came on for the ineffective Galeno but couldn't change the course of the match.

Saleh Aboulshamat - 6.0: Replaced the booked Atangana, but the game was already slipping away from his team.

Manager

M. Jaissle - 5.5: His team started with a solid defensive shape, but they had no answer once Al Nassr scored. They lacked a clear attacking plan and seemed to run out of ideas. A disappointing result and performance for the manager to reflect on.

Man of the Match

Cristiano Ronaldo was the man of the match.

Worst Performer

Zakaria Hawsawi was the worst performer.