Al Ahli vs Al Nassr Player Ratings as Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty secures narrow win for the visitors

Al Ahli vs Al Nassr Match Summary

Al Ahli vs Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League (SPL) ended in a narrow 1-0 win for the visitors. They secured their 18^th win of the season to move nine points clear of their hosts.

The first half was a very dry and directionless affair as both teams struggled to perform well in the final third. Neither side managed an attempt on target in a first half filled with midfield and defensive battles. Al Nassr dominated possession as they had 71% of the ball but were unable to manage a single shot. Al Ahli managed two attempts but neither were on target.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the 45^th minute but the goal was disallowed by VAR as Al Ahli vs Al Nassr was goalless at the break.

A similar story occurred for Al Ahli shortly after the resumption for the second half. Skipper Roberto Firmino appeared to have scored but the goal was disallowed once again. Roger Ibanez then fouled Sami Al-Najei in the box and conceded a penalty, which was eventually awarded after a VAR check. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to score from the spot to make it 1-0 to Al Nassr after 68 minutes.

There were several other stoppages in the game following the goal as Al Ahli vs Al Nassr trickled towards full-time. The visitors held their nerve and secured the result. On that note, let’s take a look at the Al Ahli vs Al Nassr Player Ratings for both teams.

Al Ahli vs Al Nassr Player Ratings

Al Ahli

Edouard Mendy – 6.5/10

Mendy did not have to make a single save but played six long balls.

Ali Majrashi – 7/10

Majrashi defended well and won nine duels, making six tackles, five clearances and one interception.

Merih Demiral – 7/10

Demiral had a good game as he won four duels, making seven clearances and three tackles. He also played six long balls.

Roger Ibanez – 6.5/10

Ibanez conceded the penalty that ultimately led to Ronaldo’s goal.

Saad Yaslam Balobaid – 6.5/10

The full-back had a decent game on the left flank.

Franck Kessie – 7/10

Kessi passed the ball with 91% accuracy, including four long balls. He also won three duels and attempted four shots, of which two were on target.

Ali Al-Asmari – 6.5/10

The midfielder had a decent game but came off injured just after the hour-mark.

Riyad Mahrez – 7/10

Mahrez passed the ball with 81% accuracy, including two key passes. He also won three duels and attempted one shot that was blocked.

Roberto Firmino – 7/10

The skipper had a great game as he won six duels, played two key passes and also made two successful tackles.

Allan Saint-Maximin – 6.5/10

Saint-Maximin looked slightly off-colour as he failed to make an impact on the proceedings.

Firas Al-Buraikan – 7/10

The striker won all three of his duels and played one key pass but could not manage a single shot.

ALSO READ: Did VAR Really Deny Cristiano Ronaldo’s Goal from an Almost Impossible Angle?

SUBSTITUTES

Ziyad Aljohani – 6.5/10

Abdullah Al-Amar – 7/10

Sumaihan Al-Nabit – 6.5/10

Haitham Mohammad Asiri – 6.5/10

Fahad Ayed Al-Rashidi – 6/10

Al Nassr

David Ospina – 7/10

The Columbian custodian made three saves and played five long balls during Al Ahli vs Al Nassr.

Ayman Ahmed – 7/10

Ahmed defended well and won four duels, including three interceptions, one tackle and one clearance. He also played one long ball.

Ali Lajami – 6.5/10

Lajami had a decent game and played four long balls.

Aymeric Laporte – 7/10

Laporte won three duels and made four clearances. He also played seven long balls.

Alex Telles – 6.5/10

Telles had  a subpar performance for his team as he won just two of his nine duels and was dispossessed 12 times.

Otavio – 7/10

Otavio passed the ball with 91% accuracy, including three long balls. He also won five duels and made two tackles.

Marcelo Brozovic – 7.5/10

Brozovic passed the ball with 91% accuracy, including two long balls. He also won four duels and made three tackles.

Sadio Mane – 6.5/10

Mane won seven duels and played one long ball but failed to make an impact in the final third.

Sami Al-Najei – 7.5/10

Al-Najei earned the penalty for Al Nassr. He also won five duels and made two interceptions and two tackles.

Abdulrahman Ghareeb – 6/10

Ghareeb had a rather disappointing game as he failed to register a shot, won just three duels and lost possession of the ball 14 times.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 7/10

Ronaldo’s penalty was his only shot on target and was enough to secure the win.

SUBSTITUTES

Mohammed Al-Fatil – 6.5/10

Ali Al-Hassan – 6.5/10

Nawaf Boushal – 6.5/10

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