Al-Nassr secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League, moving back to second place in the standings. The win came via an own goal just before halftime, with Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates dominating possession throughout. Despite several close chances, Al-Nassr held firm to close the gap at the top.
Al-Nassr returned to winning ways with a 1-0 home victory against Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League on January 26, 2026. The match, played at Al-Nassr's home ground, saw the hosts make an aggressive start. Within five minutes, Mohamed Simakan headed what appeared to be the opener, but VAR ruled it out for offside in the build-up.
Al-Nassr continued to press, with Cristiano Ronaldo striking the crossbar from inside the box after a pass from Simakan. Al-Taawoun struggled to build attacks, relying on set pieces and breaks through players like Roger Martinez and Angelo Fulgini.
The breakthrough arrived in the 45th minute when a delivery into the box led to confusion in the Al-Taawoun defense. Centre-back Mohammed Al Dossary inadvertently headed the ball into his own net while trying to clear.
Before halftime, Al-Nassr created more opportunities: Simakan headed wide from a corner, while Sadio Mane and Ronaldo forced saves from goalkeeper Mailson.
The second half mirrored the first, with Al-Nassr controlling possession. Kingsley Coman was influential on the left, testing Mailson with a low drive and a header from a Sultan Al Ghanam cross shortly after the restart. Mane later struck the post following a quick break involving Joao Felix.
Al-Taawoun mounted occasional threats, as Al Dossary headed wide from a set piece and Martinez shot high from distance. In the closing stages, Ronaldo had efforts blocked or saved, including one from the left side of the box. Felix was denied in stoppage time after cutting inside and shooting low.
The lineups featured Al-Nassr's starting XI of Bento, Sultan, Simakan, Inigo, Saad, Brozovic, Khaibari, Coman, Mane, Felix, and Ronaldo. Al-Taawoun lined up with Mailson, Al Alaeli, Mahzari, Al Dossary, Al Ahmad, Al Mufarrij, El Mahdioui, Fulgini, Hugo, Al Aqel, and Martinez.
This result helps Al-Nassr, who had slipped after the winter break, stay in contention for the title.
