Al Nassr entered the pitch against Al Akhdoud on May 8, 2025, with confidence but without their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. Many wondered whether the Riyadh-based club could maintain their winning form without their top scorer. By the final whistle, all doubts had vanished. Al Nassr crushed Al Akhdoud 9-0 in one of the most dominant displays in Saudi Pro League history.
This win not only set a new club record for the biggest league victory but also sent a clear message to the rest of the league: Al Nassr is more than just Ronaldo. With Sadio Mané in full form and a balanced squad executing a flawless game plan, Al Nassr looked unstoppable.
First Half Ruthless Efficiency from the Start
From the opening whistle, Al Nassr controlled possession and pushed high up the pitch. The midfield trio of Marcelo Brozović, Otávio, and Sultan Al-Ghannam dictated the tempo and dismantled any early resistance from Al Akhdoud.
In the 14th minute, Sadio Mané found space on the left and curled in a superb shot to open the scoring. The floodgates had opened. Jhon Durán, newly signed and hungry for goals, added another just minutes later after a slick team move.
By halftime, Al Nassr had already put four goals past the Akhdoud goalkeeper. Even without Ronaldo, their attack looked fluid, aggressive, and fearless.
Second Half Mané’ Hat-Trick and More Goals Rain Down
If the first half showed dominance, the second half turned into a masterclass. Mané didn’t just score a hat-trick — he added a fourth, displaying his elite finishing skills and intelligent positioning.
Ayman Yahya, a rising Saudi talent, added his name to the scoresheet with a confident strike from the edge of the box. Moments later, Mohammed Maran pounced on a rebound to make it 7-0. Marcelo Brozović, the engine of the midfield, smashed in a powerful long-range shot for the eighth. Saudi Pro League
In the 90th minute, Durán scored again to seal the 9-0 scoreline. Every player in yellow contributed. Every substitution-maintained intensity. Coach Luís Castro looked on with pride as his team showed perfect chemistry and hunger.
Sadio Mané Star of the Show
While several players delivered top performances, Sadio Mané stole the spotlight. With four goals, he led from the front and proved his critics wrong. Since joining from Bayern Munich, Mané had faced inconsistent form. But this performance showed his class and value to Al Nassr’s title chase.
He created space, tracked back to defend, and played as both finisher and creator. His chemistry with Durán and Otávio grew visibly throughout the match, a positive sign for the team moving forward.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Absence A Blessing in Disguise?
Cristiano Ronaldo missed the match due to muscle fatigue, but Al Nassr showed they could shine even without their top scorer. Rather than depend on one player, the team diversified its attack. Instead of targeting Ronaldo with crosses, they opted for quick short passes, overlapping runs, and midfield control.
This system gave others like Yahya and Durán the freedom to move into goal-scoring positions. It also made Al Nassr less predictable and harder to defend.
What This Means for the Saudi Pro League Table
With this emphatic win, Al Nassr gained three crucial points and narrowed the gap with Al Hilal at the top of the table. The victory also boosted their goal difference, a key tiebreaker that could be decisive in the final stages of the season.
Al Akhdoud, on the other hand, slipped further toward the relegation zone. Their defense collapsed under pressure, and their morale will need serious rebuilding before their next match.
Next Fixture Al Nassr vs Al-Taawoun
Al Nassr will face Al-Taawoun on May 16, and fans now expect another high-performance game. If Mané and Durán continue their form — and if Ronaldo returns — Al Nassr could extend their winning streak and increase pressure on the league leaders.
Al Nassr showed that they can dominate even without their global superstar. Sadio Mané’s four-goal performance reminded the world of his elite quality, and every player on the pitch played with purpose. From defense to attack, Al Nassr played like champions.
If they can carry this momentum forward, the Saudi Pro League title could be within their reach — and no one will forget this 9-0 demolition any time soon.
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