KING FAHD INTERNATIONAL STADIUM, SAUDI ARABIA — Sadio Mané's clinical first-half strike proved the difference as Al Nassr ground out a 1-0 victory over stubborn Al Riyadh in a Saudi Pro League encounter that tested the visitors' patience. The Senegalese forward's 40th-minute finish separated two sides heading in opposite directions, with Al Nassr extending their winning run while Al Riyadh's winless streak stretched to five matches.
The opening exchanges reflected the contrasting form of both sides. Al Nassr, buoyed by three consecutive victories, controlled the tempo from the outset, pinning Al Riyadh deep inside their own half. The hosts, meanwhile, adopted a defensive posture born of necessity rather than choice, their recent struggles evident in their cautious approach. Ismaila Soro's yellow card in the 10th minute set the tone for Al Riyadh's afternoon, the midfielder cautioned for a cynical foul as Al Nassr probed for openings.
The breakthrough arrived five minutes before halftime when Mané demonstrated the predatory instincts that have defined his career. The former Liverpool star latched onto a through ball, showing composure to slot past the Al Riyadh goalkeeper and send the traveling supporters into raptures. It was a moment of quality that the match had been building toward, Al Nassr's territorial dominance finally yielding tangible reward. Sultan Ali Harun's frustration boiled over on the stroke of halftime, the Al Riyadh defender picking up a yellow card as tensions simmered.
The second half saw Al Nassr attempt to manage their slender advantage while Al Riyadh searched desperately for an equalizer that never looked likely. Ali Al-Hassan's 52nd-minute booking highlighted the physical nature of the contest, Al Nassr's midfielder cautioned as the visitors sought to disrupt Al Riyadh's rhythm. The hosts threw on fresh legs in the 65th minute, introducing Mamadou Sylla, Enes Sali, and Ammar Al Harfi in a triple substitution designed to inject urgency into their attack.
Al Nassr responded with changes of their own, Abdullah Al-Khaibari entering the fray in the 58th minute to shore up the midfield. The tactical chess match continued as both managers shuffled their packs, Nawaf Boushal joining the action in the 66th minute. Al Riyadh's desperation grew as the clock ticked down, Sulaiman Hazazi and Khalil Al-Absi thrown on in the 87th minute for one final push.
The statistics painted a picture of Al Nassr's dominance but also their wastefulness. The visitors controlled 64.2% of possession and registered 13 shots to Al Riyadh's five, yet managed just three efforts on target. Al Riyadh's goalkeeper made two crucial saves to keep his side within touching distance, while Al Nassr's custodian enjoyed a quiet afternoon with zero saves required. The corner count stood level at seven apiece, suggesting Al Riyadh enjoyed brief moments of pressure despite their overall inferiority.
Al Harfi's 78th-minute yellow card reflected the home side's growing frustration, their attacking ambitions repeatedly thwarted by Al Nassr's disciplined defensive shape. The visitors introduced Salem Al Najdi and Nader Al Sharari in the closing stages, fresh legs designed to see out the victory. Al Riyadh's afternoon descended into complete misery in the ninth minute of stoppage time when Tozé received his marching orders, a red card reducing the hosts to nine men and extinguishing any lingering hopes of salvaging a point.
The foul count of 13 to 10 in Al Nassr's favor told the story of a physical encounter, while the yellow card tally heavily favored the visitors with Al Riyadh collecting three bookings to Al Nassr's solitary caution. The disciplinary disparity reflected the contrasting emotions on display, Al Riyadh's desperation manifesting in rash challenges while Al Nassr maintained their composure throughout.
This victory caps a fine run for Al Nassr before facing Al Ittihad. Al Riyadh must regroup quickly with Neom on the horizon, their search for form becoming increasingly urgent as the season progresses.