Al Nassr stamps authority in India without Ronaldo: a 2-1 win that keeps the group buzzing

Match setting

Al Nassr visited Goa, India, to face Goa FC in a clash described as a key step in the Asian Champions League 2 group stage. The venue was Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, a backdrop for a match that showcased both teams’ ambitions in continental competition.

Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence, Al Nassr arrived with a clear plan and a willingness to rotate. The club rested five first-team stars but kept the core of its squad highly competitive, signaling readiness for the long ACL 2 run.

From the opening whistle, the Saudi side dictated tempo with high pressing and quick transitions, aiming to control possession and push numbers forward through wide outlets and a compact midline.

In goal, Pinto Matheus was shielded by a back four featuring Sultan Al Ghannam, Abdul Al Amri, Inigo Martinez, and Ayman Yahya. The midfield trio consisted of Ali Al Hassan, Angelo Gabriel, and Abdulrahman Al-Gharib, while the attack boasted Mohammed Maran, Haroun Kamara, and Wesley Texeira.

Goa attempted to respond with a compact shape and some sharp counter moves, but the early numerical advantage in ball circulation belonged to the visitors, who looked to exploit flanks and quick combinations near the box.

And so the game unfolded with Al Nassr’s pressure gradually bearing fruit as the tempo rose and spaces opened on the break, a pattern that defined the opening exchanges.

Opening goal and momentum shift

The first strike arrived in the 10th minute when Angelo Gabriel found a seam on the edge of the box, collecting a precise pass and curling a shot into the bottom left corner past the Goa goalkeeper. The crowd sensed a momentum shift as Al Nassr extended its lead of the group in the early stages.

Al Nassr kept pressing, with Ayman Yahya particularly active on the left. A cross from his flank in the 24th minute found Mohammed Maran, whose header narrowly missed the target as the ball sailed over the bar.

In the 27th minute, the TeqLisman approach paid off again as Al Nassr doubled the advantage after a patient buildup: a pass from Ayman Yahya to Haroun Kamara, who finished with a composed strike to double the lead and lift the mood in the away dugout.

Goa’s response

Goa answered with a sporadic reply, stepping up at times to test the Al Nassr defense. In the 41st minute, a mazy solo run from Brayson Fernandez culminated in a shot that squeezed past the keeper to halve the deficit, reintroducing tension before halftime.

Al Nassr ended the half with chances of their own as Wesley Texeira and Abdul Al Amri tested the Goa defense, but the teams went to the break with the scoreline reflecting a still-contested contest.

Second half: a controlled finale

The second period saw a slight drop in tempo, with Goa pressing more and Al Nassr prioritizing compact defense and quick counters. The Saudi side held the lead through steady ball circulation and disciplined positioning, resisting Goa’s attempts to level the match.

Key moments included a late 52nd-minute foray by Ali Al Hassan turning into a promising move for Haroun Kamara, whose shot was saved, and a 67th-minute chance for Boris of Goa, whose run broke the offside trap but failed to beat the goalkeeper.

As the match wore on, Al Nassr shifted to efficient possession and patient buildup. Goa’s late pressure yielded chances but not an equalizer, and the visitors closed out a hard-fought 2-1 victory on the road.

Ronaldo absence, results persist

The win was notable for coming without Ronaldo, yet the team’s performance suggested a robust squad depth. The Saudi press noted that Al Nassr have played eight continental games without Ronaldo, with a mix of ACL 2 and other group-stage fixtures contributing to a growing sense of resilience under coach Jorge Jesus.

As the group stage progresses, Al Nassr remains at the top, eyes set on qualification and a potential run deeper into the competition, while maintaining an air of inevitability even when the superstar is off duty.

And yes, the rotations work—even if the coach did take a few players out for a “gentle spa day” on the bench. If depth is a problem, the bench suddenly looks like a well-stocked coffee shop; plenty of options, all caffeinated with intent.

Two goals, a crowd-pleasing win, and a reminder that the squad’s depth can carry the load when the stars are resting. The journey in ACL 2 continues with Al Nassr atop the table and Ronaldo likely plotting how to rejoin the rhythm in the next clash. Punchline time: if Ronaldo’s on the bench, at least the Wi-Fi is strong enough to stream his fan club’s highlight reel. Punchline 2: In football as in comedy, timing is everything—Jesus proved he can time rotations so well even the substitutes get a standing ovation from the shadows.