Cristiano Ronaldo was taken off at half-time with Al-Nassr down 2-0, leaving his side a man short after goalkeeper Bento was sent off early. Despite the deficit, manager Ange Postecoglou’s substitutions sparked a comeback: Sadio Mane and Abdulelah Al Amri equalised within three minutes, and Mane later secured the winner in added time. The victory propelled Al-Nassr to the top of the Saudi Pro League after three consecutive wins. Postecoglou defended the decision to replace Ronaldo, noting the forward’s recent inactivity and the tactical shift needed to unlock Al-Ettifaq. Ronaldo, making his first start since the World Cup, expressed frustration with the substitution, but the team’s resilience delivered a dramatic win.

Al-Nassr’s turnaround highlights Postecoglou’s impact since taking charge following his brief, unsuccessful stint at Nottingham Forest. The win also comes as Ronaldo, 41, prepares for what may be his final season, having married Georgina Rodriguez earlier this month.