In a highly anticipated Riyadh derby at the King Fahd International Stadium, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr suffered a significant setback, losing 3-0 to Al-Hilal, the current table-toppers in the Saudi Pro League. The defeat further widens the gap between the bitter rivals, with Al-Hilal now enjoying a seven-point lead over Al-Nassr after 15 games into the season.
The Portuguese striker, who has been a marquee signing for Al-Nassr, experienced a challenging evening as his team failed to secure a foothold against the formidable Al-Hilal side. The Riyadh derby not only showcased Al-Hilal’s prowess but also ended on a sour note for Ronaldo as rival fans took the opportunity to taunt the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, the former Lazio midfielder, played a pivotal role in putting Al-Hilal in the lead. In the 64th minute, Saud Abdulhamid delivered a precise cross from the right, allowing Milinkovic-Savic to head in the opening goal, beating Al-Nassr’s goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi”.
The late stages of the game saw Aleksandar Mitrovic sealing Al-Hilal’s victory with two crucial goals. In the 89th minute, Mitrovic headed in Salem Al Dawsari’s corner, securing the second goal. Just three minutes later, the Serbian forward cut inside Aymeric Laporte, striking through Al-Aqidi’s legs and netting his 13th goal of the season.
“As the final whistle blew, Al-Hilal fans reveled in their team’s 3-0 triumph, and some took the opportunity to taunt Ronaldo by chanting the name of his long-time football rival, Lionel Messi. The Argentine World Cup winner’s name echoed through the stadium, adding a touch of rivalry drama to the post-match atmosphere”.
Despite the defeat, Ronaldo remains a key figure for Al-Nassr, and the team will look to regroup and bounce back in the upcoming league fixtures. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal continues its impressive run, notching up their 13th win in 15 league games and maintaining a comfortable lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings.
As the season unfolds, the Riyadh derby result and the Messi chants add an extra layer of intrigue to the already intense football rivalry, making headlines and fueling discussions among fans worldwide.
