Al Nassr's 9-0 Rout: A Night to Remember (or Forget, if You're Al Akhdoud)
Okay, let's talk about Monday night's Saudi Pro League game between Al Akhdoud and Al Nassr. Nine. Zilch. Nine to zero. Honestly, who saw *that* coming? I certainly didn't. It was one of those games where you just kinda sit back and watch the goals pile up. A real mismatch, to say the least. The match took place at the Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City.
Al Nassr, even without their star player Cristiano Ronaldo (more on that later!), absolutely dominated from the first whistle. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. A total and utter demolition.
Lineups and the Early Goals
Al Akhdoud’s starting eleven? Vitor (GK), Asiri, Alyami, Lowe, Khamis, Pedroza, Musona, Hawsawi, Al-Zubaidi, and Godwin. They faced a pretty formidable Al Nassr team: Bento (GK), Boushal, Al-Fatil, Alawjami, Al Ghanam, Brozovic, Sulaiheem, Otavio, Mane, Yahya, and Duran. You had to feel a little sorry for Al Akhdoud from the start.
Al Nassr's attack was relentless. Ayman Yahya got things started in the 16th minute, followed quickly by Jhon Duran. Marcelo Brozovic added another before halftime, and then Sadio Mané converted a penalty. It was a pretty brutal first half.
The Second Half Domination
Things didn't get any better for Al Akhdoud in the second half. Duran grabbed his second, and then… well, let's just say Mané decided to put on a show. Three more goals! A hat trick, right there in the Saudi Pro League. It was a total masterclass, he was unstoppable! Even Al Akhdoud's goalkeeper, Paulo Vitor, got sent off after the break. You know how sometimes things just spiral? This was one of those times.
Mohammed Maran added another penalty late in the game and that made it nine to zero. A record breaking scoreline for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, beating their previous best of 8-0 against Abha Club. It was their biggest win ever, shattering their previous record. What a performance!
Ronaldo's Rest and the Future
Now, about Ronaldo. Coach Stefano Pioli said he was out with muscle fatigue, a precautionary measure to keep him fresh for upcoming games. Of course, there was a lot of pre-match speculation, but Al Nassr clearly proved they can win big even without him. That’s really important!
And speaking of Ronaldo, there are still lots of rumors swirling about his future. Some reports suggest a possible return to Sporting CP when his contract with Al Nassr is up. It's all speculation for now, but it's certainly exciting to think about where he'll end up next. The legend continues.
Mané's Masterclass and Al Nassr's Third Place
Mané's performance was just incredible. Four goals! A complete and utter show of skill and clinical finishing. He was the undisputed man of the match. Al Nassr's big win pushed them up to third in the Saudi Pro League standings. While a top-two finish is probably out of reach with only three games left, they've certainly finished the season strong.
The Final Verdict
Al Nassr's 9-0 win over Al Akhdoud was a truly remarkable result. It showcased their incredible attacking firepower and depth of talent. Even with Ronaldo's absence, they managed to put on a display of dominance, setting a new record for the league. It was a night Al Nassr fans will not forget anytime soon, and one Al Akhdoud fans will want to put behind them pretty quickly!
