Al-Nassr secured a dramatic 3-2 victory away at Damac FC on Tuesday, thanks to a 94th-minute winner from Sultan Al-Ghannam, moving them within two points of second-placed Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. In another Tuesday fixture, Al-Ahli kept pace with a 3-2 win at Al-Wehda.
Playing without star Cristiano Ronaldo, who was rested ahead of Saturday’s AFC Champions League quarter-final against Yokohama F. Marinos, Al-Nassr fell behind in the 18th minute through a bizarre own goal. Abdelkader Bedrane’s header for Damac hit the post and rebounded into the net off Ramzi Solan.
Al-Nassr equalized just seven minutes later when Aymeric Laporte scored his fourth league goal of the season, hooking the ball home after Damac failed to clear a corner. The visitors took the lead in the 70th minute through Ali Al-Hassan’s smart finish from near the penalty spot.
Damac responded almost immediately with a moment of quality, as Nicolae Stanciu fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner in the 73rd minute. However, Al-Nassr had the final say deep into added time when Al-Ghannam lashed home a loose ball in the box to snatch the victory.
Meanwhile, Al-Ahli remained firmly in the hunt for a top-three finish after their win at Al-Wehda. Roger Ibañez put the Jeddah side ahead in the sixth minute, reacting quickest after Ivan Toney’s header from a corner hit the woodwork. Wenderson Galeno extended the lead just before the hour mark.
Although Abdullah Al Hafith pulled one back for Al-Wehda in the 81st minute, Riyad Mahrez restored Al-Ahli’s two-goal cushion in the 89th minute. A late consolation goal from Al-Wehda’s Abdulaziz Al-Haji in the 96th minute made the final score 3-2.
Al-Ahli now head into their AFC Champions League quarter-final against Thailand’s Buriram United on Saturday in good form, unbeaten in their last four league games (3 wins, 1 draw).
With five games remaining in the Saudi Pro League season, Al-Ittihad lead the table on 68 points. Al-Hilal remain second on 62 points, with Al-Nassr closing the gap in third on 60 points. Al-Ahli sit fourth with 58 points.4
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