Al-Nassr lost 3-2 to Al-Fateh in what could potentially be Cristiano Ronaldo's last game, but still secured an AFC Champions League Elite spot.
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Al-Nassr lose final SPL game of the seasonStill qualify for AFC Champions League EliteRonaldo scores in potential final Al-Nassr gameFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱TELL ME MORE
Al-Nassr had seemingly been knocked out of the race to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite two weeks ago. However, the Saudi Sports Arbitration Centre (SSC) awarded them three points from their loss against Al-Orouba after the relegation-battlers were found to have fielded an ineligible player. The decision put the Faris Najd back in the race to potentially achieve qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite.
Stefano Pioli's side started the match in a very strong fashion as Nawaf Boushal carved out a perfect opportunity for Sadio Mane to score into an open goal; however, Al-Fateh goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi, who is on loan with the side from Al-Nassr, had other plans as he stretched wide to save what should have been a certain opener. Just a few minutes later, Cristiano Ronaldo had the optimal chance to open the scoring after Boushal found him clear on goal, however, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was also denied by Al-Aqidi with a spectacular save.
Al-Nassr got their deserved opener late in the first half after Ronaldo managed to head the ball in an open net after centre-back Mohammed Al-Fatil's header from an Otavio corner went straight into the path of the Portuguese superstar. It seemed that Pioli's side would head into the half-time break with a lead, but Al-Fateh had other plans as Matias Vargas scored past Bento as the home side countered after Ronaldo lost the ball under very little pressure.
The second half saw Al-Fateh build up from their equaliser before half-time as the hosts dominated the proceedings over the first 15 minutes of the half but could not get a clear opportunity to challenge Bento's goal. Al-Nassr then slowly built up their confidence again as Ronaldo almost put Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem with a well-weighted throughball, but Amaar Al Dohaim's well-timed tackle stopped Al-Nassr in their tracks.
It wasn't until the 75th minute of the game that a proper chance fell to either side as Mane scored a simple tap-in from two yards out after Boushal found him with a pinpoint pass across the goal. The Sengalese forward's goal gave Al-Nassr a crucial lead, but Al-Fateh managed to peg Faris Najd back to level terms just minutes later as Morocco international Mourad Batna scored a spectacular free-kick past Bento.
Al-Nassr's heads seemed to drop after the equaliser as Al-Fateh took complete control of the game and could have taken the lead in the 88th minute had it not been for Bento's spectacular save. It was in the 98th minute of the game that Matheus Machado Ferreira gave Faris Najd their final blow of the season as the Brazilian scored past a stranded Bento, whose save rebounded off the post and back to Ferreira to give Al-Fateh a 3-2 comeback win.
In the end, though, Al-Nassr still qualified for the AFC Champions League Elite as one of the Saudi Pro League's three top teams because Al-Hilal beat fourth-placed Al Qadsiah FC 2-0.
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It was a night where forwards were not at their best for Al-Nassr. However, despite the presence of big names like Ronaldo and Mane, it was Boushal who was the most consistent performer in Pioli's front line as the Saudi Arabia international created multiple chances and finally got a well-deserved assist via Mane's goal.
AFPTHE BIG LOSER
Pioli's side were once again seeming to be underprepared tactically for the game as Al-Fateh managed to always keep Al-Nassr's big names quiet through the game. The former AC Milan boss may not be staying put past this summer as Faris Najd continue to disappoint.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Al-Nassr have now booked their place in the AFC Champions League Elite for next season; however, whether Ronaldo will still be playing with the Faris Najd at that point remains unknown. Reports have suggested that Ronaldo may be headed away from Saudi Arabia this summer after having flopped in Al-Nassr's chase of silverware.
