KING FAHD INTERNATIONAL STADIUM, SAUDI ARABIA — Sadio Mané's 84th-minute penalty broke the deadlock before Ângelo Gabriel's stoppage-time strike sealed Al Nassr's 2-0 triumph over Al Ittihad in a fiercely contested Saudi Pro League encounter at Al-Awwal Park. The hosts dominated throughout but needed patience and late composure to overcome their stubborn rivals.
For much of the evening, Al Ittihad's defensive organization frustrated an Al Nassr side that controlled proceedings without finding the clinical edge. The hosts peppered Fawaz Al-Qarni's goal with 16 attempts compared to the visitors' meager five, yet the breakthrough remained elusive as the clock ticked toward full time. The possession statistics told a similar story of marginal superiority, with Al Nassr edging the battle at 50.9% to Al Ittihad's 49.1%, though neither side could establish complete control in a tightly contested midfield battle.
The tension mounted as the match entered its final stages, with both sides acutely aware of the stakes in this rivalry fixture. Al Ittihad's defensive discipline had held firm through wave after wave of Al Nassr pressure, with Al-Qarni producing four saves to keep his side level. The visitors' game plan centered on defensive solidity and occasional counter-attacks, though they managed just a single shot on target across the ninety minutes, highlighting their struggles to threaten Nawaf Al-Aqidi's goal.
The deadlock finally shattered six minutes from time when the referee pointed to the spot, awarding Al Nassr a penalty. Mané stepped up with characteristic confidence, sending Al-Qarni the wrong way to give the hosts a deserved lead. The Senegalese forward's conversion sparked jubilant celebrations among the home faithful, who had watched their team dominate without reward for so long. The goal vindicated Al Nassr's attacking approach and rewarded their persistence in the face of stubborn resistance.
If the penalty provided relief, Ângelo Gabriel's 96th-minute strike delivered ecstasy. Deep into stoppage time, with Al Ittihad committed forward in search of an equalizer, the Brazilian found space to fire home and put the result beyond doubt. His finish capped a dominant performance from the hosts and ensured all three points would remain in Riyadh. The goal sparked wild scenes as Al Nassr's players celebrated a victory that felt both hard-earned and thoroughly deserved.
The match statistics underscored Al Nassr's superiority across multiple metrics. Beyond the shot count disparity, the hosts earned seven corners to Al Ittihad's six and maintained better accuracy with five shots on target compared to the visitors' solitary effort. However, the contest carried an edge throughout, with referee brandishing six yellow cards in a feisty affair that saw tempers occasionally flare. Danilo Pereira, Fabinho, Ahmed Al Ghamdi, and Ahmed Al-Julaydan all found their names in the book for Al Ittihad, while Abdulelah Al-Amri and Kingsley Coman received cautions for the hosts.
The tactical battle saw Al Nassr's attacking intent clash with Al Ittihad's defensive pragmatism. The visitors deployed a compact shape designed to frustrate, forcing the hosts to probe patiently for openings. Al-Qarni's four saves proved crucial in keeping Al Ittihad competitive until the late breakthrough, though his heroics ultimately proved insufficient. Al Nassr's 18 fouls compared to Al Ittihad's eight reflected their aggressive pressing and determination to force the issue, though the visitors' disciplinary record suggested they matched that intensity when required.
Substitutions played their part in shaping the contest's final stages. Al Nassr introduced fresh legs through Aiman Yahya in the 76th minute, while Al Ittihad responded with Mohammed Ali Barnawi's introduction in the 73rd minute after Ahmed Al Ghamdi had entered at halftime. The hosts made further changes at the ninety-minute mark, bringing on Abdullah Al-Hamdan and Nawaf Boushal, with Ali Al-Hassan following in the 95th minute. Al Ittihad's Talal Haji also entered in stoppage time, though by then the damage had been done.
This victory extends Al Nassr's impressive winning streak to five consecutive matches across all competitions, demonstrating their current momentum and championship credentials. For Al Ittihad, the defeat continues a difficult period that has seen them struggle for consistency in recent weeks. The manner of the loss, conceding twice in the final stages after defending resolutely for so long, will particularly sting as they reflect on what might have been.
Al Nassr will carry this momentum into their trip to face Al Fateh on February 12, while Al Ittihad must regroup quickly with Al Gharafa visiting on February 10.