Al Shabab vs Al Nassr final score, result, highlights as Cristiano Ronaldo scores in Saudi Pro League thriller

Al Nassr made it 10 games without defeat and nine victories in a row as they battled to a 3-2 Saudi Pro League win over Riyad rivals Al Shabab.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who had scored in all three of his side's prior wins in 2024, broke the deadlock in the first half when a VAR check for handball following Sadio Mane's shot saw the visitors given a penalty.

Al Shabab were level just before the break through a penalty of their own scored by Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, but Anderson Talisca restored the lead just after halftime.

Carlos converted from close range to make it 2-2 but Talisca prodded in the winner in controversial fashion after Al Nassr took a throw-in that should really have been awarded to their opponents. Al Shabab's anger continued deep into injury time, when Abdullah Radif earned a second yellow card for a dive in the penalty area.

Al Shabab vs Al Nassr final score

Confirmed lineups:

Al Shabab (3-4-2-1, right to left): Al Absi (GK) — Al-Sharari, Santos, Saiss — Al Yami, Cuellar, Rakitic, Al-Harbi — Diallo, Carrasco — Carlos.

Al Nassr (4-2-3-1, right to left): Abdullah (GK) — Alawjami, Alamri, Laporte, Telles — Al Khaibari, Brozovic — Talisca, Otavio, Mane — Ronaldo.

MORE: The top goalscorers in this season's Saudi Pro League

Ronaldo made no mistake with his first-half penalty after the referee eventually gave handball following Mane's blocked shot, but Al Shabab were firmly in the contest and deservedly levelled through Carrasco after a clumsy challenge from Aymeric Laporte.

Taslica's strike towards the bottom corner a minute after the restart should really have been kept out by goalkeeper Mohammed Al Absi, but Al Shabab refused to lie down to a team that won here 5-2 in domestic cup action late last year.

Carlos slid in at the far post to turn home a dangerous cut-back from the right from Habib Diallo, and at that point, the home side seemed the more likely to find a winner. Yet then came the moment of controversy, as the officials awarded Al Nassr a throw-in when it should have been Al Shabab's ball. Around six seconds later, Talisca had toe-poked a clever finish past Al Absi after being played through by Abdullah Al-Khaibari.

Ronaldo himself helped out with some last-ditch defending as Al Nassr sought to hold on through 11 minutes of added time. There was some concern for the away side when Radif went to ground in the box, but he was duly punished for a clear dive with a second yellow card.

Al Nassr remain in the title hunt, four points behind unbeaten leaders Al Hilal, who have a game in hand.

Al Shabab vs Al Nassr highlights

Highlights of the match will be available here when made available.

Al Shabab vs Al Nassr kick off time

This Saudi Pro League match at the Al Shabab FC Stadium kicks off on Sunday, February 25 at 8 p.m. local time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:

Al Shaba vs Al Nassr lineups, team news

Al Shabab sealed a 1-0 win on their return to action last week following the mid-season break with Ivan Rakitic scoring on his debut. 

Al Shabab (3-4-2-1, right to left): Al Absi (GK) — Al-Sharari, Santos, Saiss — Al Yami, Cuellar, Rakitic, Al-Harbi — Diallo, Carrasco — Carlos.

Al Shabab subs: Malayekah, Kanabah, Alqahtani, Al Sibyani, Al Yami, Al Sadi, Sharahili, Radif, Aljuwayr

Despite the prospect of two games in quick succession, Ronaldo starts for Al Nassr.

Al Nassr (4-2-3-1, right to left): Abdullah (GK) — Alawjami, Alamri, Laporte, Telles — Al Khaibari, Brozovic — Talisca, Otavio, Mane — Ronaldo.

Al Nassr subs: Al Fatil, Al Sulaiheem, Boushal, Al Najei, Alhassan, Yahya, Qassem, Al Aliwa

Al Nassr vs Al Shabab live stream, TV channel

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories: