Al Nassr made their return to Saudi Pro League action in eye-catching winning style with a 4-3 home victory over Al Ahli.
Early goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Talisca ensured a perfect start for the home side in Riyadh but the resilient visitors hit back through Franck Kessie before the break.
The second period swung from end to end, as Talisca fired home his second of the night, and Riyad Mahrez converted a penalty for Al Ahli.
However, it was to be Ronaldo who had the final say, as he powered home a ninth league goal of the campaign, to secure the victory.
Al Nassr vs Al Ahli final score
| Final Score | Goalscorers | |
| Al Nassr | 4 | Ronaldo x2, Talisca x2 |
| Al Ahly | 3 | Kessie, Mahrez, Al Brikan |
Al Nassr vs Al Ahli highlights and commentary
FULL TIME: AL NASSR 4 AL AHLI 3
All over in Riyadh on a superb clash at the King Saud University Stadium!
A double each for Ronaldo and Talisca got the hosts over the line and stretch Al Nassr’s winning run to five successive league games.
Al Nassr vs Al Ahli featured stars like Mane, Mahrez, Firmino, Brozovic, Saint-Maximin and Kessie in the XI’s for their respective sides.
It was a brace from 38-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and Anderson Talisca that made the difference for Al Nassr in a 4-3 win 🐐 pic.twitter.com/3GLsufBiwM
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 22, 2023
90+5 mins: The bookings mount up and more changes as Al Nassr try to hold on.
90 mins: TEN MINUTES ADDED ON!
88 mins: AL AHLI MAKE IT 4-3!
Superb play by Mahrez as the former Manchester City winger slips in substitute Al Brikan to tap home! Could there be one final twist?
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We’re done yet 👀
Where there are goals, there is hope! pic.twitter.com/zsK4QSM8P8
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 22, 2023
84 mins: Al Nassr have dropped back into a defensive shape as they look to secure the win. Abdulrahman Ghareeb comes on for Mane.
77 mins: More substitutions as the clock ticks down. Seko Fofana is on for Otavio.
70 mins: Chances at both ends as Al Aqidi catches Roberto Firmino’s header and Mane brings a smart stop from Mendy as thee referee blows for a cooling break.
66 mins: First changes of the night as Sumayhan Alnabit and Feras Al Brikan come on for Veiga and Allan Saint-Maximin.
60 mins: Al Nassr have a shout for a penalty waved away and Al Ahli attack again.
52 mins: TWO GOALS IN TWO MINUTES…..ONE EACH!
Talisca’s clumsy foul in the box allows Riyad Mahrez to slam home from the penalty spot but Ronaldo responds immediately to lash home from the edge of the box!
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Riyad Mahrez converts the PK for Ah-Ahli 🙌 pic.twitter.com/fP7fXnwKEE
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 22, 2023
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That’s what he does 🐐
Cristiano Ronaldo bags a brace 👏 pic.twitter.com/sump9buMth
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 22, 2023
Another goal and another Siu from @Cristiano in the #RoshnSaudiLeague 🐐#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/dGUvGh5r9U
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) September 22, 2023
46 mins: Back underway!
No changes for either side at half time.
HALF TIME: AL NASSR 3 AL AHLI
The half time whistle blows in Riyadh with four goals before the break as Al Nassr take a commanding lead through Talisca and Ronaldo.
Anderson Talisca scores AGAIN as Al Nassr take back their control at the end of the first half 🕺#yallaRSL #RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/nawMvbQqpp
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) September 22, 2023
45+7 mins: 3-1 AL NASSR!
It’s raining goals in Riyadh!
After a lengthy VAR check, Al Nassr retake their two-goal lead, as Talisca’s rocket stands as a goal!
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It’s Anderson Talisca… AGAIN 😏 pic.twitter.com/X9Mikj0b9b
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 22, 2023
45+4 mins: Ronaldo lines up a free kick but that’s an easy stop for Mendy.
45 mins: The three goal celebrations have added nine extra minutes at the end of the first half.
40 mins: Kessie almost finds a way through again but Al Nassr get back and clear.
35 mins: A frustrated Mane picks up the first booking of the night.
29 mins: 2-1….AL AHLI HIT BACK!
The visitors have been pushing for a reaction and they are back in the game!
Al Majhad spots the run of his midfield partner Kessie and he delivers a brilliant ball over the top of Al Nassr’s defence and the former Barcelona star races clear to slot home!
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GAME ON
What a response from Franck Kessié 🫡 pic.twitter.com/ZikytNc2aU
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 22, 2023
Franck Kessie gets Al Ahli back in the game 🫡#yallaRSL #RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/h1ZTK1nto7
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) September 22, 2023
23 mins: Al Ahli are slowly looking to launch a response as Gabri Veiga lashes a strike just wide.
17 mins: 2-0 AL NASSR!
Ruthless stuff from the home side as Talisca turns from provider to goal scorer!
Alex Telles’ free kick is headed back across thee box by Aymeric Laporte and the Brazilian towers above his marker to nod home!
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Anderson Talisca makes it 2-0 for Al-Nassr 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/GQTBZ7Iuto
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 22, 2023
Anderson Talisca scores his second goal in as many games for Al Nassr! 💛💙#yallaRSL #RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/ZK4V8KIXIM
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) September 22, 2023
13 mins: A half chance for Al Ahli as Mohammed Al Majhad’s long range hit is easily save by Nawaf Al Aqidi.
8 mins: Ronaldo off the post!
Ronaldo should make it 2-0 as he gets on the end of Talisca’s cross to the back post but his effort bounces back off the upright!
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OFF THE POST FROM RONALDO 😬 pic.twitter.com/ryWS1wWSID
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 22, 2023
4 mins: RONALDO MAKES IT 1-0!
What a start by Al Nassr!
Sadio Mane pounces on a mistake in the Al Ahli defence and slides Ronaldo clear for the veteran striker to fire past Edouard Mendy!
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There’s absolutely no stopping that one from Ronaldo 👏 pic.twitter.com/Y1J0P2WOKt
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 22, 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo drops another Siu in the RSL! 🐐⚽#yallaRSL #RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/VHla4q8fHi
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) September 22, 2023
KICK OFF: AL NASSR VS AL AHLI
⏳ || Kickoff,@AlNassrFC vs #AlAhli#AlNassrAlAhli pic.twitter.com/DGp6JrHQA3
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) September 22, 2023
10 mins to KO: Lots of familiar faces in the Al Ahli line up tonight!
📷 | In full concentration 💪#AHLIFC ⚽️#Al-Ahly_Al-Nasr#RoshnSaudiLeague #WeDreamAndAchieve 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/P7Rlp1s9Sj
— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) September 22, 2023
30 mins to KO: All set on a HUGE night in Riyadh!
Everyone is here 🙌💛 pic.twitter.com/XXh9d3V3vG
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) September 22, 2023
1 hour to KO: TEAM NEWS IS IN!
Three changes for Al Nassr from their win in Iran as Ali Lajami and Alex Telles return to the defence and Talisca starts over Abdulrahman Ghareeb in attack.
On #SaudiNationalDay 🇸🇦
We present to you our starting lineup 🙌 pic.twitter.com/qzk3ENpvxO— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) September 22, 2023
Four ex-Premier League stars included for Al Ahli as Mendy, Saint-Maximin, Firmino and Mahrez all start.
Our STARTING 1️⃣1️⃣
Al-Ahli 🆚 Al-Nassr#AHLIFC ⚽️#Al-Ahly_Al-Nasr#WeDreamAndAchieve 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/qxdcH45fPG— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) September 22, 2023
1 hour 20 to KO: All eyes will again be on Ronaldo this evening as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner settles back into life in Saudi following a trip to Iran for the Asian Champions League in midweek.
He received crazy attention from fans in Iran upon his arrival and will be hoping for a quieter welcome at the stadium today!
2 hours to KO: All smiles in training ahead of this key clash!
Good evening from Riyadh 💛👋 pic.twitter.com/jA2NZ2zqeo
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) September 20, 2023
Al Nassr vs Al Ahli lineups, team news
Al Nassr came through their win in Tehran with no fresh reported injuries but Castro rotates his starting team.
Al Nassr lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Alaqidi (GK) — Al-Ghannam, Lajami, Laporte, Telles — Brozovic, Al-Khaibari (Al Amri, 90+5) — Mane (Ghareeb, 84), Otavio (Fofana, 75), Talisca — Ronaldo
Al Ahli are boosted by the return of key defender Merih Demiral, following a one game ban, with former Premier League stars Edouard Mendy, Allan Saint-Maximin, Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez all starting.
Al Ahli lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Mendy (GK) — Majrashi, Ibanez, Demiral, Alhurayji (Yaslam, 86) — Al-Majhad (Al Rashidi, 90+5), Kessie — Mahrez, Veiga (Alnabit, 66), Saint-Maximin (Al Brikan, 66) — Firmino (Al Johani, 86)
Al Nassr vs Al Ahli live stream, TV channel
This Al Nassr vs. Al Ahli Saudi Pro League match kicks off at 6:00 p.m. local time from the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh.
Below are the corresponding times, TV channels, and live streams to watch the match in regions around the world
| Date | Time | TV Channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Fri, Sept 22 | 7 p.m. BST | Fox Sports Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes | FuboFox Sports app/website |
| Canada | Fri, Sept 22 | 7 p.m. BST | — | DAZN |
| UK | Fri, Sept 22 | 7 p.m. BST | — | DAZN |
| Australia | Sat, Sept 23 | 4 a.m. AEST | — | 10 Play |
| Hong Kong | Sat, Sept 23 | 2 am HKT | — | Shahid |
| India | Fri, Sept 22 | 11:30 pm IST | Sony TEN 1 | Sony LIV |
| Malaysia | Sat, Sept 23 | 2 a.m. MYT | — | Shahid |
| New Zealand | Sat, Sept 23 | 6 a.m. NZST | — | Shahid |
| Singapore | Sat, Sept 23 | 2 a.m. SST | — | Shahid |
Fans can subscribe to streaming platform Shahid for complete coverage of every match from the Roshn Saudi Pro League.
As another way to stay connected to the action, the Roshn Saudi Pro League official channels (including YouTube) and SSC (Saudi Sports Company) regularly publish goals and highlights from the matches.
