Cristiano Ronaldo is human after all. It is unusual to see the Portuguese star so wasteful inside the box, but he had three clear chances to score the 982nd goal of his career and failed to convert any of them. To make matters worse, he also sent a penalty wide shortly before halftime. João Félix provided the spark on a frustrating night with a superb trademark finish. The competition is starting to look too easy for “O Menino.” An outstanding Sadio Mané and the in-form Nawaf Boushal also played their part in another Al Nassr victory.

Ange Postecoglou has built an excellent team, as Al Nassr showed during the first half against NEOM. There were quick combinations between the lines, a brilliant João Félix and a Cristiano Ronaldo who strikes fear into opponents whenever he gets the ball inside the box. Defensive vulnerability, however, remains an issue. Had it not been for Íñigo Martínez, the visitors could have been two goals ahead after only 10 minutes. Two crucial interventions from the former Barcelona defender prevented disaster.

Al Nassr just get better up front

Despite their problems playing out from the back and their defensive uncertainty, Al Nassr’s attacking play continues to improve with every game. The arrival of Samú Costa has been crucial in giving the team greater dynamism. Mané remains in superb form, constantly creating movement in the final third. And when it comes to João Félix, the superlatives are beginning to run out.

How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored?

“O Menino” had three opportunities to break the deadlock. Then, as halftime approached, Ronaldo was handed the chance to score career goal No. 982 from the penalty spot. His attempt could hardly have gone worse. He sent the ball wide to Marcin Bułka’s right, ensuring the teams went into the break level, and Ronaldo stayed on 981 goals.

More chances for Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo came out for the second half determined to make amends. In the 48th minute, however, he somehow passed up another huge opportunity. Mané sent a cross into the middle with the goalkeeper out of position, but Ronaldo failed to make clean contact and sent the ball over the crossbar.

Mané kept driving at the NEOM defense, while Boushal pushed higher up the flank to give Al Nassr another attacking option. Postecoglou’s team kept up the pressure, stretching the field and pressing higher until it finally found a way through.

Ronaldo helped start the decisive move, combining with Ângelo on the right. The Brazilian held onto the ball and waited as the NEOM defense retreated toward the six-yard box, leaving João Félix completely unmarked. The Portuguese star produced a magnificent finish, firing a right-footed shot into the top-left corner of Bułka’s goal.

As so often happens, Ronaldo’s movement had dragged several defenders with him, creating the space for his compatriot. NEOM responded a few minutes later and came close to leveling when Alexandre Lacazette’s header struck the post.

The Al Nassr captain then missed his third clear opportunity of the night after a low cross from Abdullah Al-Hamdan. From around the penalty spot, Ronaldo tried to curl his shot into the corner but sent it wide. His frustration was obvious. It simply wasn’t his night.

NEOM refused to give up and pushed for an equalizer until the final whistle, but Bento stood firm against the visitors’ late attacks to secure three valuable points for Al Nassr.

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