00:00News is for these two teams is that it's not quite as warm as some games have been here only a couple of months ago, Paul.
00:08Yeah, you notice the teams playing in a different way, actually, as the climate changes.
00:12As we get towards the winter months, you can see the teams playing more of a high tempo, more of a high pressing rather than a possession game.
00:19And, you know, the pace of the games are noticeably quicker.
00:22Changing formation tonight from Alok Dude, and that might have something to do with the fact that they're missing three players this evening,
00:30three changes from their win over Al-Weda, which was a massive victory for them, actually, back in December.
00:35Ibrahima Kone, Sebastian Pedroza and Saeed El-Rubay are the three that drop out.
00:40So coming in, Al-Zabdani, Al-Qaeda and Damian Lowe, the centre-half, who, of course, had a spell with Al-Itihad and most recently has been out in the United States.
00:52He's playing in MLS, but immediately the cameras focusing in on Cristiano Ronaldo.
00:58There was some talk, Paul, that he wasn't going to be able to play tonight because of injury, but his numbers are incredible.
01:05And there is a reason, isn't there, why he's managed to rack up as many goals as he has, because he's played in as many games.
01:11Yeah, and he's a leader there, as you can see, in the team huddle there before the game.
01:15He's a leader. He wins. I mean, he's not got any trophy where he's any silver.
01:18The start of Saudi Pro League football in 2025, which is just out of the reach of Christian Vassagog, who, Cameroon International with it.
01:28That's a bit more assured from the goalkeeper. Absolutely key, aren't they, to this team, Laporte and Simicat.
01:34Yeah, and Awafashal, he's better than that. He's got better quality, just run it out of play.
01:39Trying to trick his way to make some room, and then Godwin has poked in the opening goal.
01:46And a shock as well. Al-Aqtud ahead of Al Nasser, gifted to them by the home side.
01:52And some really shaky...
01:54Back into the title race, well, this is being a disastrous start.
01:58Well, that wasn't meant to happen, was it? That certainly wasn't meant to happen.
02:01Coming together, the elbow, the arm, Laporte.
02:04And you can see there that Godwin is saying that he has played in that goal.
02:08But now Al-Nasser making a bit of space.
02:10...Cup this week as well. They were the ones that, um, if he had wanted to...
02:14...and it towards Ronaldo, too high.
02:18He's a quick, active little player, goes forward at the first opportunity.
02:22...through, and goalkeeper, not getting enough on it, and he's in, it's Mane.
02:27It's 1-1.
02:31But it appears like there is either a foul inside the penalty area,
02:36or indeed the ball might have gone out of play.
02:39I think that's what the assistant on the far side is flagging for.
02:42There's a...
02:43...Reeves delivery. There's Laporte.
02:45First touch was neat enough, but not as neat as it needed to be before it's clattered away by...
02:50...Dude, you can almost see the pendulum is beginning to swing back the other way,
02:56back in Al-Nasser's direction now.
02:58With us, you might have caught the interview with that man pre-match, Michael Owen.
03:02First experience of this league as well.
03:04Over it goes for Ronaldo.
03:07Could have taken in his stride.
03:09...and this is probably his preferred option.
03:13Godwin!
03:14And Laporte as well from Basigog.
03:16Has he got the pass? I think it's just been wrecked.
03:19Otavio.
03:20Clever cross from him.
03:21And the goalkeeper's beaten.
03:25It might be Al-Ghanam's goal, or did Sadio Mane get there before it crossed the line?
03:30Either way, Al-Nasser break through and have their first goal of 2025.
03:37And it's 1-1.
03:39Either way, Al-Nasser free-kick, which they have been there almost from the very start.
03:44There's Godwin amongst the Al-Nasser fans after that equaliser from Mane.
03:49And they've got a free-kick here as well.
03:52A sharp feat of the...
03:54This is something special from Ronaldo.
03:56It's a dink into the penalty area.
03:57Off of the shoulder against Garib.
03:59One back again by...
04:00A standing start.
04:03And then gets the ball back.
04:05He's challenged by...
04:06Turning back to find a team-mate again.
04:09Mane.
04:10Oh, penalty!
04:12A barge in the back of Sadio Mane.
04:15A few looks of disgust on the face of Al-Akdoud's players.
04:21This is since arriving in Saudi Pro League football.
04:26To that goal tally.
04:27Here he comes.
04:28Ronaldo.
04:29It's perfect.
04:30It's 2-1, Al-Nasser.
04:34Cristiano Ronaldo is 11th of this Saudi Pro League campaign.
04:40And is this the start of another charge in 2025?
04:46Out of this game completely.
04:47Angelo.
04:48Ronaldo.
04:49And it took Ronaldo.
04:51A hint of offside maybe.
04:52Ronaldo goes on.
04:53And he's blocked by the legs of the goalkeeper.
04:57Carlo Vittor.
04:58And Al-Nasser again though.
05:01So lies on the chances and the opportunities that they make.
05:04That man's got a big job at half-time.
05:06Diri and Ronaldo now.
05:08Have you know?
05:10Rather heated conversation.
05:13There's a bit of pushing and shoving.
05:14Ronaldo.
05:14It's a beautiful pass by Ottavio right through the gap.
05:21It's Garib.
05:22He start.
05:22And it goes to Ronaldo.
05:24Oh, the goalkeeper's dropped it.
05:26Ronaldo couldn't get his feet sorted in time.
05:28He wasn't expecting it.
05:29A last opportunity at the first half.
05:32A sneaky one.
05:33Which wasn't poking in with the ball on the goal line.
05:36Ronaldo precise as ever from the pen.
05:38Long after he's finished playing.
05:39Yeah.
05:39Invested into not only Al-Nasser.
05:41But into the Saudi Pro League.
05:42Into the country.
05:43And you can see what the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia do.
05:46Ended up being an all Milan affair in the final.
05:50It might have been Ronaldo who cleared it away.
05:52And that should be the interception.
05:56Ended up again by AC Milan.
05:59It's got a fair bit of experience as well.
06:01Stefan Thomas.
06:02Now, Leport.
06:05Alcadzia and Itty had the two teams that will take the game.
06:09They're the ones that...
06:10Angelo created some space.
06:13Ottavio tried to be precise with it.
06:15He needed to be perfect.
06:17It wasn't quite.
06:18He's a lovely player, is Ottavio.
06:20He's got so much quality with the ball.
06:21By Alganam.
06:22Stopped by...
06:25Hamis.
06:29That's just as Basagov sends it into the box.
06:32Scored.
06:33I bet you that he couldn't remember every single goal he scored.
06:36Garib.
06:40Now there's a Basagov by...
06:42Now at Bouchard.
06:43So an Alap 2-3 kick.
06:45He catches him, Bouchard.
06:47It's a pain.
06:48This is Garib.
06:49This is really good for Mal Nasser.
06:51It's not the end product, though, that they wanted after such a fluent move.
06:56Celebration.
06:59Came in to keep the club up.
07:01Did just that.
07:01The survival specialist, as he's known.
07:04First time out towards Garib.
07:07Should be...
07:08There is Diego Ferreira, the young Brazilian spinning to the club.
07:12Got one against Alueda a month ago.
07:14Got a double against Aloruba.
07:17Basagov swinging it in.
07:18Who did that come off?
07:21Malot do want another corner.
07:22The decision is...
07:24Goal.
07:24Ottavio.
07:25Ottavio beautifully done.
07:27And Garib couldn't take it with him.
07:29And there might have been a bit of contact on the heels.
07:31That was just enough to send him off his strides.
07:35You've got to give him credit there.
07:36Shao can help.
07:37Ottavio beautifully back to him.
07:39Oh, it's Mane.
07:39It's blocked.
07:41And Al-Qaidi can take a lot of credit for that.
07:44For chucking himself in the way.
07:46Denying what would have been a beautiful Al-Nasa goal.
07:49Al-Qaidi.
07:49Al-Qaidi there at the far post.
07:51It was an incredible slide to add.
07:56First and second of April, respectively.
07:58So two fantastic semi-finals.
08:00That gets something from this game.
08:02Al-Qaidi.
08:02Oh, the header from Mane.
08:05Finishes it off.
08:07Al-Nasa are going to win the game.
08:08Sadio Mane has his second of the night.
08:14Crept in.
08:16Unseen.
08:17And with that...
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