Al Nassr will be seeking a first win in four matches to revive their title hopes when they host Al Riyadh in the Saudio Pro League on Friday.
Two AFC Champions League group stage draws were far less damaging to the side captained by Cristiano Ronaldo than the top-flight result that came in between them, when Al Nassr lost 3-0 at Al Hilal in their last league game.
That gave Al Hilal a 13th win from 15 in the Saudi Pro League, preserving their unbeaten record in style and moving them seven points clear at the top of the table with almost half of the season gone.
It also means Al Nassr have precious little for any more dropped points, starting with the visit of 13th-placed opponents in a local derby.
The Sporting News is following the match live and providing updates and highlights below.
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Al Nassr vs Al Riyadh live score
| 1st half | Goal scorers | |
| Al Nassr | 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo (31) |
| Al Riyadh | 0 | — |
Starting lineups:
Al Nassr starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Alaqidi (GK) — Al Ghanam, Laporte, Lajami, Yahya — Brozovic, Fofana — Mane, Otavio, Talisca — Ronaldo.
Al Riyadh starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Campana (GK) — Al-Shuwayyi, Arslanagic, Al-Rashidi, Al-Khaibari — Toure, Al-Rashidi — Al-Dossari, Ndong, Al-Shehri — Al Abbas.
Al Nassr vs Al Riyadh live updates, highlights, commentary
45 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Riyadh
Al Riyadh have the ball in the Al Nassr net! It’s a beautiful, composed finish from Saleh Al Abbas after he breaks clear, but it’s also offside.
The dangerman for the visitors looks like he knew that was off. Aymeric Laporte stepped up well in time, showing all of his experience to spring the trap. But Al Riyadh are in this.
44 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Riyadh
A sniff of danger for Al Riyadh for the first time in a long while. Saleh Al Abbas is on the edge of the Al Nassr penalty area on the left but can’t trouble the hosts.
41 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Riyadh
Otavio has a decent opportunity with a right-footed volley, which he completely messes up.
38 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Riyadh
Siu time. Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo combine!
In game number 1,200 of his career, @Cristiano opens the scoring for Al Nassr against Al Riyadh! 💪#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/MCQE5x9RNC
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) December 8, 2023
35 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Riyadh
They’re still in this, but Al Riyadh are frequently being carved open and are toiling to gain any prolonged possession in this match.
Al Nassr have had all 11 attempts at goal, including five on target, and 74% of the ball.
32 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Riyadh
Sadio Mane looked up on the left channel for that goal, spotting Cristiano Ronaldo at the far post and angling a marvellous cross into his path.
The Saudi Pro League top scorer produced something of an improvised finish, using his studs to divert the inswinging ball in from close range.
Goalkeeper Martin Campana is finally beaten!
31 mins: GOAL – Al Nassr 1-0 Al Riyadh (Cristiano Ronaldo)
Goal number 25 of the season for CR7!
30 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
Cristiano Ronaldo hangs in the air in that familiar style and lifts a header wide. Al Nassr have dominated this half since that early corner for Al Riyadh.
29 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
Sadio Mane sprints down the left and cuts a pass back to Aymeric Laporte in front of goal. From a difficult angle, the defender can only steer his effort over the target.
28 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
Another terrific save from Martin Campana!
Marcelo Brozovic sends an outswinging corner towards the far post and the goalkeeper makes a terrific save to keep a header out.
25 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
We’ve seen the replays from that Birama Toure clearance off the line a little earlier, and Al Nassr might have even more cause to feel frustrated following their failed appeal for the VAR to award a penalty.
The ball didn’t cross the line but it could scarcely have been any closer.
22 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
Goalkeeper Martin Campana does it again! Campana probably should stop this but you wouldn’t want to try it yourself. Cristiano Ronaldo takes aim from the left of centre with a vicious, swerving low drive that bends in front of the Uruguayan.
Campana can’t hold it first time, and Ronaldo appears a little annoyed that his team-mates weren’t following up quickly enough to capitalise.
20 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
Al Nassr have a freekick in Cristiano Ronaldo territory near the edge of the Al Riyadh penalty area.
18 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
No penalty is awarded. That would have been harsh, given Birama Toure’s apparent natural body position and the speed of that shot.
It remains goalless.
15 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
Drama! A neat Al Nassr corner routine allows Otavio to cross for Cristiano Ronaldo, whose swerving strike is cleared off the line by midfielder Birama Toure.
Ronaldo is convinced it should be a penalty. Players surround the referee. A VAR check will take place. Ronaldo offers more of his opinion.
13 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
Sadio Mane demonstrates his blistering pace, keeping a ball in near an Al Riyadh post that might well have gone out had any other player chased it.
Mane clips in a cross but no Al Nassr player can connect and the visitors defend stoutly.
11 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
Great save! Seko Fofana sends in a close-range volley from a cross from the right, hitting his first-time shot with venom.
Goalkeeper Martin Campana descends rapidly and keeps the ball out with his legs.
8 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
Not bad, Cristiano Ronaldo. But no doubt he’ll be more interested in closing the chasm-like gap on Al Hilal than landmarks right now. Al Nassr haven’t created a great deal here, although they’ve spent plenty of time inside Al Riyadh’s half.
5 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
Al Nassr clear from the resulting corner from the left following that useful run from Al Abbas for Al Riyadh.
4 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
Saleh Al Abbas skips down the left and wins a corner after a well-timed challenge from the backtracking Sultan Al-Ghannam. Encouraging start for Al Riyadh.
1 min: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Riyadh
Al Riyadh are in predominantly red with black shorts tonight. Al Nassr are in their eye-catching new kit, which is largely white.
20 mins to kickoff: Elsewhere today, leaders Al Hilal have won 2-1 at Al Tai. That means they’re 10 points ahead of second-placed Al Nassr before kickoff.
The leading goal scorer in the RSL 🥇
Can he extend his lead at the top of the charts tonight? 🤔👇 #yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/Q5iXz7jtib
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) December 8, 2023
40 mins to kickoff: Here’s how the visitors arrived.
📍 Match stadium 🏟️❤️#RiyadhFC pic.twitter.com/DtrT5d8uud
— Al-Riyadh Saudi Club (@AlRiyadhFC_EN) December 8, 2023
1 hour to kickoff: Here’s how Al Nassr start! Some handy attacking options, safe to say.
🗒 || Starting lineup,@AlNassrFC vs #AlRiyadh pic.twitter.com/mpRmxoqwS0
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) December 8, 2023
1 hour 20 mins to kickoff: New Cristiano Ronaldo shirt incoming…
Al Nassr will be debuting their new kit today 👀🆕#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/FOuIM4rra5
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) December 8, 2023
1 hour 40 mins to kickoff: Al Riyadh enter this game on a three-match unbeaten run, although they’ve drawn two of those – most recently a goalless stalemate with Al Hazm on November 30.
⏳ Nine o’clock.. Our appointment is at Al-Awwal Park 🏟❤#RiyadhFC pic.twitter.com/zsSF9PaFdR
— Al-Riyadh Saudi Club (@AlRiyadhFC_EN) December 8, 2023
2 hours to kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of today’s Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr vs Al Riyadh. We’ll have build-up, team news and live coverage coming up as Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane’s side aim to get their league season back on track following their 3-0 defeat at leaders Al Hilal.
Al Nassr vs Al Riyadh lineups
Ronaldo captained Al Nassr in this match after being rested for the draw in Tajikstan. Castro rotated the majority of his side for that game, with a spot in the AFC Champions League already secured, and Ronaldo nursing a neck injury.
The Portuguese superstar joined a list of recalls including Sadio Mane and Talisca.
Al Nassr starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Alaqidi (GK) — Al Ghanam, Laporte, Lajami, Yahya — Brozovic, Fofana — Mane, Otavio, Talisca — Ronaldo.
Al Riyadh headed into this game on the back of a three-match unbeaten run in the Saudi Pro League, and head coach
Odair Hellman went with minimal changes.
Al Riyadh starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Campana (GK) — Al-Shuwayyi, Arslanagic, Al-Rashidi, Al-Khaibari — Toure, Al-Rashidi — Al-Dossari, Ndong, Al-Shehri — Al Abbas.
Al Nassr vs Al Riyadh live stream, TV channel
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Deportes | Fox Sports app/website |
| Australia | — | 10 Play |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| UK | — | DAZN |
| India | Sony TEN 2 | JioTV, Sony LIV |
MORE: How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored at Al Nassr this season? CR7 stats in Saudi Arabia in 2023-2024
