Al Nassr vs Al Ettifaq became a tense Saudi Pro League match when Al Nassr scored a slim 1-0 win despite having Cristiano Ronaldo struggling with illness all through the game.
On Wednesday, the match was played with Ronaldo starting the game in unfavorable physical conditions. The Portuguese megastar who was already suffering with exhaustion and stomach pains found it hard to perform with his typical intensity. Nevertheless, he stayed on the field and kept affecting crucial events in the match.
Jorge Jesus, the head coach, said that Ronaldo was questionable before the start of the game. The coach disclosed that the player had been experiencing stomach aches and overall fatigue, and he wondered whether or not he should be included in the lineup.
However, Ronaldo still made his presence felt. His long-range shot during the first half was very strong that it had to be saved by Marek Rodak, the Al Ettifaq goalkeeper, providing a crucial save. This was a perfect rebound to Kingsley Coman who scored the only goal of the match converting.
Al Ettifaq was pressing desperately to score an equaliser but failed to make inroads into the organised Al Nassr defence. The intensity of the match grew when the condition of Ronaldo became evidently worse. He persisted in struggling despite the pain, and he even struck the post and had another attempt swept off the line.
During the injury time, Ronaldo was later replaced and went straight to the dressing room where he claimed to be feeling unwell.
This was a win amidst a physical challenge but this saw Al Nassr carry its incredible streak of 15 successive league wins, a record in the club. The outcome enhances their standing in the Saudi Pro League championship and underscores their increasing reliability.
