Without Ronaldo, Al Nassr Secures Late Victory with João Félix Shining

Al Nassr secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Neom this Saturday, with a stoppage-time goal from Simakam ensuring the Riyadh-based club extended their winning streak despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The match took place at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh as part of the 25th round of the Saudi Professional League. Jorge Jesus's side was without their star forward Ronaldo, who is currently sidelined with a muscle injury. In his absence, another Portuguese player, João Félix, played a key role by delivering the precise assist that led to the winning goal.

This victory marked Al Nassr's 13th consecutive win of the season, reinforcing their position at the summit of the league table. With 64 points accumulated, they hold a narrow two-point lead over second-placed Al Ahli and a three-point advantage over third-placed Al Hilal. The result is crucial in the context of a tightly contested title race.

The match itself was largely one-sided, with Al Nassr dominating possession and creating multiple opportunities. However, Neom's goalkeeper Luís Maximiano was a standout performer, making several difficult saves to keep his team in the game. The defensive resilience of Neom and a lack of clinical finishing from Al Nassr meant the deadlock remained until the final moments.

In the fifth minute of stoppage time, João Félix delivered a well-placed free kick from the left flank. Simakam, unmarked at the far post, rose to head the ball into the net, securing the victory for Al Nassr. This late goal underscored the importance of set-piece execution and individual quality in tight matches.

Looking ahead, Al Nassr will aim to maintain their momentum as the league enters its final stages. The team’s ability to secure points without Ronaldo will be closely watched, especially as they face upcoming fixtures that could prove decisive in the championship race. Meanwhile, the transfer market and injury updates may also influence squad options moving forward.