Al-Ittihad vs Al-Nassr highlights, Saudi Pro League 2024-25: ITT 2-1 NAS; Bergwijn scores match-winner

That’s all! With a late strike, Bergwijn makes sure Al-Ittihad continues on top of the table!

Just as the regulation time elapses, Bergwijn wraps his foot around the ball and sends it past Bento to give his side the lead!

Last few minutes to go and it looks like the sides will have to be content with a point each. Unless someone is in a mood to be the hero on the night.

After those two quick-fire goals from the sides, the game’s tempo has considerably gone down. Danilo receives treatment inside his own box as the teams get a breather.

Angelo makes way for Ghareeb.

The Nassr forward is flagged offside right after his shot is saved by the opposition ‘keeper.

Otavio in the middle of all the verbal exchanges and pushing matches as players from both sides bicker with one another. Benzema and Otavio shown yellow cards.

It’s two against one but Ronaldo fails to keep the ball as it is snatched away by an Ittihad player. The Portuguese can’t help but smiles.

Ittihad almost took the lead once more as Al-Shanqeeti, the provider for Benzema’s goal, took a fiery shot from the right flank but Bento was equal to it.

EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING AT THE KING ABDULLAH SPORTS CITY! Ronaldo equalises! Otavio plays Angelo through whose shot is slow and cleared away. However, the clearance is collected by Angelo who plays it for Ronaldo who thumps it into the goal first time!

It’s Benzema who opens the scoring! It’s his 10th league goal of the season. It’s Al-Shanqeeti who plays a great ball across the face of the goal. Bergwijn lets it go as Benzema calmly slots it inside the goal.

The midfielder returns to the pitch after fighting for the ball with Kante which results in the Frenchman’s flailing arm catching the Nassr man in the nose. However, no card shown.

Great drop of the shoulder from Sadio Mane to zoom past his marker as he tries to find a white shirt with a pass from the left flank, but it is cleared away.

Al-Nassr kicks things off in the second half as both sides look for the opening goal in the match.

Al Obod comes off for Al-Amri.

That was a hectic few seconds in the final moments of the first half as the likes of Bergwijn and Benzema tried to take the lead, but the Nassr defence stood strong.

Benzema tries to find the target once again but sends the ball into the stands with his latest effort.

Al Ghanam is furious, and his demeanour probably the reason for the referee to show him the yellow card. The defender thought he had retrieved the ball from his man, since the on-field official had played advantage, but not really.

Sadio Mane lets the chance go to waste by taking too much time. He was played through on goal with a piercing ball from deep in the midfield and the former Liverpool winger even past the ‘keeper, but he made the angle too acute for himself.

Fabinho lobs it up for Aouar, but the ball had too much on it for the running player to take it in his stride.

Boushal is played through with a well-weighted pass and had space to run with it but he was forced to take a few more steps than he would have liked as Ronaldo was the lone white shirt inside the box.

Ittihad with back-to-back chances as Benzema shoots a sighter, asking Bento to stretch and paw it away for a corner.

That’s a bullet from the Dutchman but it goes straight at Bento who stops it with his gloves.

Brozovic gets booked.

Benzema just strays offside as he goes on and assists Steven Begwijn, who has to just tap it in. Best move from the host so far.

The former Real Madrid star is often steering away from his trademark central role and operating down the left flank. This time, he beats his man and tries to wrap his foot around towards the far corner, but the effort bounces behind for a goal kick.

Brozovic thrashes a long ball into the box and Aymeric Laporte rises to try and guide the header towards goal. He does just that, but the ball just goes above the crossbar, though goalie Rajkovic had it cornered.

The likes of Mane and Al Ghanam are trying to whip in crosses to find Ronaldo inside the box but the host’s defensive line is doing well to fend the threats away.

Kante fouls Mane, old Premier League opponents clashing once again. Free-kick for the visitor.

Centre-back Danilo Pereira has a mind to not give a certain Cristiano Ronaldo an inch of space as he snatches the ball away from the forward.

A through ball is played for Ronaldo from the midfield but the forward probably wouldn’t have reached it. The ‘keeper came out and thumped it away.

Both teams just passing it around, reaching the final thirds but to no avail. Otavio goes down clutching down his leg, a rare stop to the game so far.

A packed stadium at the King Abdullah Sports City as the first half is underway.

Moments away from the kick-off!

Al-Nassr will be coming into this league fixture after suffering a 1-2 defeat to Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League. In the Saudi Pro League, the Cristiano Ronaldo-led side returned to winning ways with a win against Damac.

For Al-Ittihad, it will be looking to win its ninth league game in a row this season and solidify its grasp on the top spot.

Bento (gk), Boushal, Laporte, Simakan, Al Ghanam, Brozovic, Al-Khaibari, Gabriel, Otavio, Mane, Ronaldo

The Saudi Pro League 2024-25 match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network. The match will also be live-streamed on the SonyLiv app and website. Moreover, you can stay tuned to Sportstar’s website and app for all the latest updates from the match.