Al-Nassr dominate Al-Taawon with 3-0 victory in Saudi Pro League opener
The Saudi Pro League’s opening round brought plenty of excitement as Al-Nassr made a powerful statement with a convincing 3-0 win over Al-Taawon in Buraidah. From the very first whistle at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, it was clear that the visitors were intent on setting the tone for their season, and they wasted no time doing just that.
The breakthrough came early, with João Félix opening the scoring inside just five minutes. Ângelo picked him out with a perfectly weighted pass, and Félix calmly struck the ball past the goalkeeper, silencing the home crowd and putting Al-Nassr ahead. The early goal gave the Riyadh giants the momentum they needed, and from that point, the game’s tempo belonged largely to them.
Al-Taawon tried to respond with high pressing and a couple of dangerous counters, particularly through Roger MartÃnez and Musa Barrow, but their finishing lacked precision. Each time they managed to test the Al-Nassr defense, goalkeeper Al-Aqidi stood firm and made sure the clean sheet remained intact.
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The second big moment of the match arrived just a few minutes later when Al-Ahmed handled the ball inside the penalty area. The referee wasted no time pointing to the spot, and Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up with his usual confidence. He struck the penalty with power, sending Atiah the wrong way, and doubled Al-Nassr’s lead before the 10-minute mark. That goal not only pushed Al-Taawon onto the back foot but also showcased Ronaldo’s continued importance at 40 years of age, having just signed a new two-year contract to stay with the club.
The home side tried to settle after conceding twice so quickly, and for a stretch, the game slowed down. A few half chances came at both ends, with Atiah making strong saves to deny Félix and Coman, while Al-Taawon’s best efforts fizzled out before they could truly trouble the defense. A couple of yellow cards and an injury stoppage further interrupted their rhythm, making it harder for them to mount a comeback.
But Al-Nassr were not finished. Just after the 11th minute, Kingsley Coman, one of the club’s newest signings, made his mark. Rising above the defenders, he powered home a header from a cross to score Al-Nassr’s third goal. It was the kind of moment that highlighted the team’s depth and attacking options, with Ronaldo, Félix, Mané, and now Coman all involved in dangerous sequences.
From that point forward, the match was effectively controlled by Al-Nassr. They dictated possession, managed the pace, and forced Al-Taawon into chasing shadows. The hosts did push forward occasionally, but their efforts were either blocked by the defense or swallowed up by Al-Aqidi in goal.
When the final whistle blew, the 3-0 scoreline reflected not just clinical finishing but also Al-Nassr’s composure and balance across the pitch. For Ronaldo and his teammates, this was the perfect start to the 2025–26 campaign, sending a clear message to rivals like Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad that they intend to fight hard for the title this season.
For Al-Taawon, the night was one of missed chances and lessons to take forward. The season is long, but against a team as stacked as Al-Nassr, every mistake was punished. And in Buraidah, those mistakes translated into three goals and three points lost on opening day.
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