Al Nassr left it late but found a way to win once again, as Mohamed Simakan struck deep into stoppage time to seal a hard-fought 1-0 victory over NEOM SC at Al-Awwal Park on Saturday. The result extended the league leaders’ remarkable winning run to 11 consecutive matches and reinforced their grip at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings.
A Frustrating Night Rescued by Simakan
It was far from a vintage performance from Jorge Jesus’s side. Without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently in Spain undergoing rehabilitation on a hamstring injury, Al Nassr struggled to break down a disciplined NEOM defense that had clearly arrived in Riyadh with a plan to frustrate the league leaders.
For much of the match, NEOM executed that plan to near perfection. Sitting deep and compact, they limited Al Nassr to half-chances and speculative efforts from distance. The home crowd at Al-Awwal Park grew increasingly anxious as the minutes ticked away and a rare draw appeared to be on the cards.
But championship-caliber teams find answers in the tightest moments. As the match entered its final seconds of added time, French defender Simakan rose highest to meet a delivery into the box and powered his header beyond the NEOM goalkeeper. The stadium erupted as Al Nassr snatched all three points from the jaws of what would have been a frustrating stalemate.
Title Race Implications
The victory took Al Nassr to 64 points, maintaining their position at the summit of the Saudi Pro League table. With Al Hilal sitting on 61 points after their convincing 4-0 victory over Al Najmah on Friday night, the gap at the top remains a manageable three points for the chasing pack. Al Ahli, fresh from their 3-1 derby triumph over Al Ittihad, also remain in the conversation.
The tightness of the title race means every point carries enormous weight in the remaining weeks of the season. Al Nassr’s ability to grind out results even when performances are below their best speaks to the mental resilience that often separates champions from contenders.
Ronaldo’s Absence Looms Large
The elephant in the room for Al Nassr remains the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar sustained a hamstring injury and has traveled to Spain for specialized medical assessment. Reports suggest the injury may be more significant than initially hoped, raising questions about his availability for both Al Nassr’s title run and Portugal’s upcoming international commitments.
While Al Nassr proved they can win without their talisman, the squad will undoubtedly be stronger with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner in the lineup. Manager Jorge Jesus will be hoping for positive news from Ronaldo’s medical team in the coming days as the Saudi Pro League enters its most critical phase.
