Al-Nassr edged out Damac 3-2 in a five-goal thriller without Cristiano Ronaldo to remain alive in the Saudi Pro League title race.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr's trip to Damac
• Al-Nassr beat Damac 3-2
• Kept Champions League qualification hopes alive

• AFP
  

  Table of Contents

  Toggle

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ronaldo was omitted from the matchday squad as Al-Nassr took on Damac in a crucial Saudi Pro League clash. Stefano Pioli wanted to rest the 40-year-old ahead of the club's upcoming AFC Champions League quarter-final tie against Yokohama F Marinos.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ronaldo's absence, however, did not affect Al-Nassr's performance as the Saudi giants beat Damac 3-2. Ramzi Solan opened the scoring for Damac before Aymeric Laporte scored the equaliser for the visiting team. Ali Alhassan then put Al-Nassr in front in the 70th minute, but Nicolae Stanciu's strike brought Damac back into the game. Sultan Al-Ghannam then netted a last-gasp winner to seal crucial three points for Pioli's side.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The three points helped Ronaldo's side reduce the gap with league leaders Al-Ittihad to eight points. They are now two points above fourth-placed Al-Ahli and remain in contention to secure an AFC Champions League slot for next season.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?

  The Saudi side will next face J1 League club Yokohama F Marinos on Saturday in the AFC Champions League quarter-final.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News