Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr were frustratingly held to a 1-1 draw by Al-Raed in their Saudi Pro League opener.
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Al-Nassr drop points at home Ronaldo got on the scoresheetLaporte's error in the box proved costlyGetty Images SportTELL ME MORE
Luis Castro's men had a point to prove after they were thrashed by Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final. Ronaldo looked hungry to start the league campaign with a win and the Portuguese talisman scored a sensational header to put his team in front in the 34th minute after he was set up by Sadio Mane with an inch-perfect cross from the left flank. Opportunities were far and few in the opening half and Ronaldo's strike was the difference as the players went in at half-time.
Al-Raed, though, earned a penalty in the 48th minute. Mohamed Fouzair almost latched onto a defensive backpass but Aymeric Laporte pegged him back with the slightest touch and the forward made the most of the contact inside the box. The referee flashed the red card to Laporte but VAR intervened and the card was downgraded to a yellow – but the penalty was given. Fouzair stepped up and slotted the ball into the right corner beyond the reach of Bento to equalise for his side.
Al-Nassr stepped on the gas pedal after conceding within five minutes of the resumption. And they were almost rewarded for their perseverance in the 75th minute when Ronaldo found the net again. But after a long VAR check (that took up the entire drinks break), the striker was found to be offside by millimetres.
Castro's men got another glimmer of hope in the dying embers of the game when the referee was called upon by VAR to check a potential penalty but the match official was bold enough to stick to his decision which forced the Knights of Najd to share the spoils with a side that finished 12th in the standings last season.
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Ronaldo scored his 25th goal of the calendar year against Al-Raed and the Portuguese is now just eight short of reaching 900 career goals for both club and country.
THE MVP
Ronaldo showed that he might turn 40 next February but he still has the leap and the power in his neck muscles to score incredible headers. He sneaked ahead of his marker at the nick of time and fired in a bullet header to show that he still had it in him.
Getty Images SportTHE BIG LOSER
Aymeric Laporte must take the blame for his error in judgement. The former Manchester City defender should not have made even the slightest touch inside the box as Bento would have easily got ahead of Fouzair to get the ball. He gave away a needless penalty and Al-Nassr had to pay a heavy price.
