Sadio Mané plays again as home fans show banners in support of absent Cristiano Ronaldo
Sadio Mané came of Al-Nassr rescue for the second time this week as the Pro League title challengers edged out Al-Ittihad despite That of Cristiano Ronaldo absence.
Ronaldo remained on strike as his protest against the club's management – and what he perceives as the preferential treatment offered to rivals Al-Hilal – continued into a second match.
The Portuguese striker's name was conspicuous by its absence when the team sheets were revealed and the saga is expected to continue until peace talks find a solution.
Meanwhile, Mané continues to support Jorge Jesus' team.
After scoring the winner against Al-Riyadh on Monday, the Senegalese star also proved his decisiveness by scoring from the penalty spot six minutes from time. Angelo scored a second breakaway in injury time to bring Al-Nassr within a point of leaders Al-Hilal.
Fans hold up Ronaldo's banner to show support
Ronaldo may not be feeling the love from Al-Nassr bosses – and, in particular, the majority owners of the Saudi Public Investment Fund – but the Riyadh crowd showed their support with banners and cards in the seventh minute that displayed the player's name and number.
The 41-year-old's absence certainly had an impact on the pitch with Al-Ittihad, playing without Karim Benzema, whose move to Al-Hilal was the final straw for Ronaldo, who featured much of the early running.
The visitors thought they had a penalty in the 10th minute when Mohamed Simakan appeared to be handling in the area, but referee Slavko Vincic ruled in favor of Al-Nassr.
Another Al-Ittihad penalty was ruled out soon after before the home side finally put together a few passes, Joao Felix and Mane combining well before defender Hassan Kadish did well to block.
Houssem Aouar went close with a header for Al-Ittihad while home goalkeeper Bento had to be vigilant to parry a Moussa Diaby shot.
Predrag Rajkovic also excelled in the Al-Ittihad goal before half-time with an acrobatic save to keep away a deflected Marcelo Brozovic shot.
Rajkovic denied Felix after 50 minutes and only excellent defending from Mario Mitaj prevented Kingsley Coman from converting Mane's cross.
The first goal finally came late when Vincic judged that Mohammed Barnawi had handled substitute Aiman Yahya's shot and Mane made no mistake from the spot.
Al-Ittihad committed their men forward in search of an equalizer, but were pegged back in the sixth minute of added time when a quick counter-attack was completed by Angelo.
2026-02-06 19:47:00
