Saudi Pro League: Ronaldo and Felix among the goals as Al Nassr beat Neom and maintain a perfect start

Al Nassr maintained their perfect start in this season’s Saudi Pro League after a 3-1 win against Neom SC at the King Khalid Sports City Stadium in Tabuk on Saturday.

It marked Al Nassr’s eighth win on the trot, with the club topping the standings with 24 points.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Angelo got on the scoresheet for Al Nassr, while Ahmed Abdo Jaber scored Neom SC’s only goal of the match.

Despite being the stronger team on paper, Al Nassr did not dominate the overall proceedings in the opening minutes of the match, with Neom players reaching the final third in numbers. However, the final product was lacking.

Both Ronaldo and Mane had early chances in the 13th and 15th minutes respectively, but were unable to convert them into goals.

Neom suffered a setback in the 35th minute, losing Alexandre Lacazette due to injury, with Abdo replacing the Frenchman.

With the first half ending goalless, Al Nassr started the second 45 with renewed vigor and it didn’t take long to break the deadlock.

In the 48th minute, Felix went down on the edge of Neom’s penalty area, with the referee awarding a free kick to Al Nassr. Ronaldo stood over the ball and took the shot, but saw his effort blocked by the wall. But Angelo remained alert and was the first to pounce on the rebound and find the net from distance with a grounded finish.

The evening got even worse for Neom after Uruguayan striker Luciano Rodriguez saw a red card for violent conduct after elbowing Nawaf Al Boushal in the face. The referee missed the incident, but VAR pointed it out, and after watching a replay of the incident, Rodriguez received his marching orders.

AS IT HAPPENED: NEO VS NAS HIGHLIGHTS

The numerical advantage began to manifest itself and in the 65th minute Al Nassr got his second. A loose pass into Neom’s penalty area allowed Ronaldo to latch onto the loose ball and shoot at goal. Luis Maximiano did well to save the Portuguese’s attempt, but could not prevent Felix from making a point for the rebound.

Abdoulaye Doucouré, who already had a yellow card, brought Felix down in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty. A VAR check took place, after which the referee upheld his decision. However, Doucoure was lucky to escape a second yellow card.

Ronaldo made no mistake in converting his penalty, sending Maximiano the wrong way and doubling Al Nassr’s lead.

Al Nassr thought they had a comfortable finish, but switched off in defense, paying the price in the 84th minute.

Abdo did well to time his run behind Mohamed Simakan and get to the end of a throw-in. He made his way inside the penalty area and kept his composure to slot the ball past an onrushing Nawaf Alaqidi to pull one back for Neom.

With six minutes left and stoppage time to pay, Neom would have liked an opportunity to grab a late equalizer, but Felix quashed such ideas with a stylish finish two minutes after Neom’s goal.

Ronaldo and Sadio Mane tried to combine in the penalty area but failed to create anything. When Neom tried to carry the ball from their own half, the team lost possession in the final third. Felix had time and space and ripped one from distance to rattle the bottom left corner of the net to ensure three points for his team.

Published on November 8, 2025