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Football Insider

Cristiano Ronaldo's Rollercoaster Night: Misses Penalty, Suffers Injury Scare, Al-Nassr Stun Al-Fayha for Crucial Win

The Saudi Pro League saw a dramatic shift as Cristiano Ronaldo faced ups and downs in Al-Nassr's comeback victory against Al-Fayha. Ronaldo missed an early penalty, picked up an injury scare, and witnessed his team secure a vital triumph to reclaim the top spot.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Rollercoaster Night: Misses Penalty, Suffers Injury Scare, Al-Nassr Stun Al-Fayha for Crucial Win

The Saudi Pro League title race took yet another twist on Saturday night as Al-Nassr battled from behind away at Al-Fayha to snatch a 3-1 victory. Cristiano Ronaldo scuffed an early penalty wide and cut a frustrated figure before limping off injured, but saw his team wrestle back all three points and retake top spot from Al-Ahli.Al-Nassr were looking to respond to the late victory Al-Ahli earned against Al-Riyadh on Thursday and were gifted an early opportunity to do just that. With eight minutes gone, Mikel Villanueva stretched to reach a loose ball in his own box but appeared to brush Mohamed Simakan’s foot first. The French defender collapsed dramatically to the floor and, despite the minimal contact, Al-Nassr were handed a penalty. Al-Fayha protested furiously and will feel as if justice was served when Ronaldo stepped up and fluffed his lines – sending the spot-kick wide of the left post.Al-Nassr were again on the fortunate end of a decision when Marcelo Brozovic escaped punishment for what looked like a clear headbutt after 24 minutes. Yet, that good fortune would soon run out on the cusp of half-time. Fashion Sakala found Rakan Kaabi, overlapping down the right flank, who drilled a low cross and forced Abdulelah Al-Amri to turn the ball past Bento into his own net.The Al-Fayha defence, led by Chris Smalling, dealt with wave after wave of Al-Nassr attacks and looked as if they could see off the visitors’ blunt attack all evening. They held on for 72 minutes before Kingsley Coman and Sadio Mane broke the resistance. Sultan Al-Ghannam played Coman down the line who crossed into the Senegalese forward to tap in at the back post.Al-Nassr pressed for a winner and on the 80th minute the Al-Fayha defence, and hearts, finally broke. A corner found its way to Joao Felix on the edge of the box, whose rifled effort off of the upright cannoned back onto stricken goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera and into the net. With a touch of luck, Al-Nassr completed their comeback before Abdullah Al-Hamdan added a fourth to return the club to the top of the Saudi summit.Former Manchester United and Roma defender Smalling rolled back the years in a dominant display at the heart of the Al-Fayha defence. The Englishman was imperious and kept Ronaldo quiet throughout the game, making a superb challenge on the Portuguese superstar just after the break. Smalling led his team throughout and, despite not being able to prevent the Al-Nassr goals, he deserved to finish on the winning side.Ronaldo will be relieved that his failure to convert from the spot did not cost his side dearly. The Portuguese forward was disappointing and threw his arms around aimlessly for much of the game when things did not fall his way. Ronaldo was then forced off late on after feeling something in his hamstring and watched as his replacement Al-Hamdan added the third goal.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

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Al-Nassr's Resilience Shines Through Turbulent Match

The Saudi Pro League match between Al-Nassr and Al-Fayha was nothing short of thrilling, with twists and turns that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Despite an early setback with Ronaldo's missed penalty and subsequent injury, Al-Nassr showcased their determination and skill to overcome adversity and clinch a crucial victory to keep their title dreams alive.

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Ronaldo's Rollercoaster Night

The talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo endured a rollercoaster night, starting with a disappointing miss from the penalty spot. Things took a worrying turn as he limped off due to a hamstring issue, leaving fans concerned about his fitness. Ronaldo's frustration was evident on the pitch, but he will be relieved that his team managed to secure the win in his absence.

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Al-Fayha's Resilient Defense and Smalling's Standout Performance

Al-Fayha's defense, led by the experienced Chris Smalling, put up a valiant effort against Al-Nassr's relentless attacks. Smalling's commanding presence and crucial interventions highlighted his quality as a defender, even though his team ultimately fell short. The Englishman's performance was a standout feature in an intense encounter.

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Al-Nassr's Comeback Heroics and Title Aspirations

Despite early setbacks and a resilient opponent, Al-Nassr showed their mettle by staging a remarkable comeback to secure a vital win. The team's perseverance and ability to find late goals displayed their hunger for the league title. With key players stepping up when needed, Al-Nassr's ambitions are clear as they aim to clinch the championship.

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Looking Ahead: Ronaldo's Recovery and Al-Nassr's Title Charge

As Ronaldo undergoes assessment for his hamstring injury, Al-Nassr will be hoping for positive news regarding their star player's fitness. The title race in the Saudi Pro League continues to intensify, with every match proving crucial in determining the ultimate winner. Al-Nassr's resilience and spirit in overcoming challenges bode well for their pursuit of championship glory.

Published on Feb 28, 2026