Al Nassr vs Ettifaq: All eyes on Cristiano Ronaldo as he makes his ...

22 Jan 2023

Live Blog

RON IT BACK
Updated: 19:58, 22 Jan 2023

CRISTIANO RONALDO has failed to score in his Al-Nassr debut, but they still won 1-0.

His new club have gone top of the Saudi Professional League after victory over Ettifaq, thanks to a goal from Anderson Talisca.

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Ian Tuckey2 minutes ago

Focusing on some Nass touches

Naturally Al Nassr were keen to concentrate on Ronaldo's busiest moments after his so-so debut.

But even their four-picture salute following the final whistle was hardly his brightest points.

They missed his silky trick to the byline and blocked shot in the first half.

Credit: Getty

Ian Tuckey11 minutes ago

We're Ron top of the league

Ronaldo looks like he knows there's work to be done as he congratulated Al Nassr team-mates after a 1-0 win over Ettifaq put them TOP of the Saudi Pro League.

Credit: Reuters

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner applauded fans but appeared quietly pleased and determined rather than wildly delighted at the victory.

That might please Al Nassr fans keen to see the 37-year-old isn't just in Saudi Arabia for a huge pay-day.

Credit: Reuters

Ian Tuckey18 minutes ago

Cristiano's big shake-up

Whatever the verdict on Ronaldo's performance, his attitude and focus seemed spot-on.

Some might see that as a stark contrast to the closing months of his second Manchester United spell.

And he summed up his 'new approach' by going round after the final whistle shaking hands and congratulating every Al Nassr team-mate individually.

His face also suggested it was just the start of a serious job for him - as he prepares for what could be two years in Saudi Arabia.

Ian Tuckey23 minutes ago

No efforts on target

Despite a few encouraging touches, Ronaldo never actually had an effort on target - nor directly came close to scoring.

Partly that was through a poor service to him in the box, but at 37 there must be doubts he can be a consistent matchwinner for Al Nassr.

Matchwinner Talisca was a more energetic and persistent threat alongside him.

And it's that link-up that could ultimately make Ron an astute signing.

Ian Tuckey27 minutes ago

Ron 'still got them moves'

Fans were split over Ronaldo's winning debut for Al Nassr.

Some hailed his sprinkling of wizardry, but others claimed it was "against awful players".

One greeted his peak dribble as he sent Saeed Al Mowalad to the floor with: "He ended the player's career."

Another said of the incident: "Ronaldo still got them moves."

A simlar view was: "Cristiano Ronaldo still got the flair."

But such comments brought the harsh response of "Farmers League".

Ian Tuckey34 minutes ago

Ron should be happy... except for no goal

Ronaldo came close to a goal - but it was Talisca who sneaked in behind him to score the only goal.

But we saw some flashes of vintage Ron - particularly when Al Nassr got on top during two spells in the second half.

Fans roared out his name at the end.

But his victory celebrations were modest - his face a picture of concentration.

Ian Tuckey37 minutes ago

Ron's winning start

Al Nassr 1 Ettifaq 0: Cristiano Ronaldo had a promising but goalless debut for Al Nassr.

Strikepartner Talisca headed the 31st minute winner.

Ian Tuckey38 minutes ago

Ron the run

Ron ran through for a half chance in the closing seconds - but it was just cleared ahead of him.

Ian Tuckey40 minutes ago

Three minutes added on

We've had plenty of players flying in - and those on the receiving end flying around over-dramatically.

And that's one reason why it's a slight surprise there are only three minutes of stoppage time to come, starting with a spree of substitutions from Ettifaq.

Ian Tuckey43 minutes ago

On course for tense finish

It's all got a bit untidy, with plenty of play in a congested midfield.

But Al Nassr have just defended two crosses quite desperately, Niakate swinging one teasing left-footer across the box.

Ian Tuckey45 minutes ago

Over and outch!

Here's that Ronaldo bicycle kick we mentioned a few minutes ago.

Credit: Reuters

As you can see, it was more a threat to Saeed Al-Mowalad's head than it was to Ettifaq's goal.

But Ron's turned in a promising display overall.

And Al Nassr are pressing the visitors quite well as they continue to lead 1-0.

Ian Tuckey47 minutes ago

Can Ron score?

We're into the final 10 minutes now, and Ron's had enough sniffs around the box in this half to suggest he could get a decent scoring opportunity.

Al Nassr appear the stronger, fitter, more powerful side but Ettifaq occasionally conjure some nimble moments in the final third of the pitch.

Ian Tuckey50 minutes ago

Bye, Lad! - Ron rolls back the years

Ronaldo's vintage dummy on the left goal-line so bamboozled Al Mowalad that the Ettifaq defender slumped backwards and onto the turf.

Faced with a one-on-one in limited space in the bottom corner of the box, Ron wrong-footed Al Mowalad as he shifted the ball from right foot to left for a fierce cross cleared away from the near post.

Ian Tuckey53 minutes ago

Pace dips at last

Finally the pace has ebbed, Al Nassr biding their time, trying to thread a dangerous pass, as they assume control of the possession and territory.

Yet another centre sails over Ronaldo's head.

Ian Tuckey55 minutes ago

Ron's bicycle kick mis-fire

Ronaldo leaps into a far-post bicycle kicks - but not only did his boot narrowly miss the ball, it appeared to clip the head of Ettifaq's Saeed Al Mowalad.

Ron shook his head with a half-smile, saying there had been no foul.

And play continued.

Ian Tuckey58 minutes ago

Ettifaq pressing

Ronaldo's again on the ball down the left - touching it inside safely and simply.

But Ettifaq have more than just taken the sting out of Al Nassr's early second-half surge.

Credit: AFP

They've threatened a couple of times themselves.

And the loss of the talented Martinez has possibly affected Al Nassr's rhythm.

Credit: Getty

Ian TuckeyToday, 18:58

Menacing Martinez off injured

Ron's fellow dangerman Pity Martinez limped off after 66 mionutes.

Sami & Ayman came on for the Argentinian and Ghareeb.

And almost immediately Ettifaq produced their first dangerous period of the second half.

Niakate swung a far-post half-volley well high - giving Al Nassr the chance to settle down again.

Ian TuckeyToday, 18:55

Not left out

Ronaldo's back mainly on the left now, but he's got the freedom amid Al Nassr's finest spell so far to drift to the right too - if he wants.

The home side are opening up the flanks once they push forward.

And that's giving Ronaldo more space.

Ian TuckeyToday, 18:51

Ron leads purple patch

Ronaldo's been involved in nearly everything amid a stunning purple patch for Al Nassr.

Best of all, he rolled the ball with his studs out on the right as he prowled forward, threw in a couple of step-overs as he approached the area - then touched the ball back for Talisca to thump a long-range screamer that Paulo Victor tipped behind at full stretch.

Ian TuckeyToday, 18:47

Brilliant from Ronaldo

Ron showed he's still got that surge of speed when he needs it - reaching the left goal-line just in time to hook the ball back for Martinez to have a 20-yarder tipped just over.

Ian TuckeyToday, 18:46

Vitinho-no

The Portugal striker has appeared on both flanks already in this half - and looking more busy.

But Ettifaq break quickly - and Vitinho is brought down just outside the box.

That means a golden chance for the visitors - 22 yards out to the left of the penalty area 'D'.

But it's Vitinho himself who plants it well high.

Ian TuckeyToday, 18:43

Ron fire with long-ranger

Ronaldo steps up the pace with two neat touches on the left in a swift exchange - which he ends by rasping a 30-yarder high and wide of the far post.

But as the picture below might suggest he's not quite had the luck in the air.

Credit: EPA

Ian TuckeyToday, 18:39

Two more crosses over Ron

Ronaldo is in a familiar position twice within a minute - hovering near the penalty spot but seeing crosses fail to reach him.

Ian TuckeyToday, 18:38

Right 'n Ron

There's a brief hold-up up as Al Nassr defender Ali Lajami goes down clutching his leg and needs treatment.

It's no great surprise that someone 's got clattered again - given such a physical game.

But the pace seems to have slowed down a bit from the first half.

And Ronaldo seems to have swapped from the left to the right - at least for now.

Ian TuckeyToday, 18:35

S/H: Al Nassr 1 Ettifaq 0

Al Nassr are instantly on the attack - with Ron getting a touch.

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