Without Cristiano Ronaldo, who was rested by coach Stefano Pioli to attend to personal matters, Al Nassr were unable to beat Al Kholood despite a double from Anderson Talisca and Spain international Aymeric Laporte, who broke the deadlock but went off injured before half-time.

The defender, who scored on the quarter-hour mark, left the field in the 35th minute with a left knee problem. He dropped to the turf and was replaced by Mohammed Al Fatil.

Al Nassr suffered the absence of Ronaldo, who was left out of the squad and lost ground on Karim Benzema's Al Ittihad, who are now three points behind them, and leaders Al Hilal, who are on a winning streak.

Pioli's side always went against the run of play. Myziane Maolida put the home side ahead but Laporte and Anderson Talisca turned the game around.

Maolida scored again on the half-hour mark and the game ended in a draw at the break. In the second half, Jackson Muleka put Al Kholood ahead again and the game looked to be heading for a home win. But in the 94th minute, Anderson Talisca scored from the penalty spot to equalise and prevent Al Nassr's first defeat of the season.

October 25, 2024

J. Muleka

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