Cristiano Ronaldo allowed Sadio Mane to take a late penalty in Al-Nassr’s 2-0 win over Al-Wehda and also urged fans to lay off his team-mate.
WHAT HAPPENED?
After a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Al-Ettifaq last week, Al-Nassr bounced back in the Saudi Pro League with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Al-Wehda on Tuesday. Ronaldo scored the opener with a clinical header just after the break and Sadio Mane converted a late penalty to secure all three points for his side.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Al-Nassr won a late free-kick in the dying moments of the match which Ronaldo took and the Portuguese’s powerful shot got deflected off an opponent defender’s arm and went out for a corner. The 40-year-old immediately approached the referee to review a handball and after a VAR check, a penalty was awarded. Ronaldo, who is Al-Nassr’s designated penalty taker made a generous gesture by allowing Mane to take the spot-kick instead of adding to his tally. The ex-Liverpool had not scored in his last nine appearances and was struggling with form, but he grabbed the opportunity with both hands and found the back of the net. Ronaldo could also be seen urging fans to stop whistling his team-mate as he prepared to take the kick.
DID YOU KNOW?
With the win in Mecca, Stefano Pioli’s side overtook Al-Qadisiyah – who lost 4-1 to Al-Ahli – in the league table and moved up to the third position. They are now eight points behind leaders Al-Ittihad, who have a game in hand.
WHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?
Ronaldo and Co will be back in action in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday as they take on Al-Orobah in another away fixture.