Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr highlights, KLJ 0-1 NAS, Saudi Pro League 2023-24: Laporte goal guides Nassr to victor

Aymeric Laporte’s goal guides Al Nassr to a 1-0 win against Al Khaleej. It now has 71 points - nine behind table-topper Al-Hilal, which has a game in hand. 

Al Salem does well to keep the ball under pressure and then take a shot at goal from inside the box. However, his effort is blocked and the deflected shot is collected comfortably by Ospina. 

Five minutes added at the end of the second-half!

Al Hassan tries to find Laporte with a cutback from the right but the ball somehow scrambles into the hand of Sehric. 

Al Nassr breaks on a counter and Ronaldo leads the charge as he darts at the Al Khaleej goal from inside his own touchline. Once inside the box, he shoots at goal but ends up hitting the side-netting. 

KLJ subs: IN - Al Salem, Al Haydar OUT - Sherif, Hamzi

The match resumes after its final cooling break!

Al Khaleej almost finds the equaliser after Al-Khabrani gets a header away from Rebocho’s cross. The Al Khaleej captain connects with the header strongly but fails to keep his effort on target. 

There a VAR check to see whether Laporte was offside but the check is complete and the goal stands. 

Brozovic finds Laporte with an inswinging cross and the Frenchman heads the ball back across goal, leaving Khaleej keeper Sehic with no chance to get a hand to it. Al Nassr finally breaks the deadlock. 

KLJ booking: Rashed Masoud gets a booking for that challenge on Laporte

Laporte is caught from behind and goes down near the Khaleej penalty area. Al Nassr has a good chance to create something from the set-piece. 

KLJ subs: IN - Al-Shanqiti, Martins OUT- Lopez, Al-Torais 

Brozovic lifts the ball over the last line of defence to send Ronaldo on the clear. Ronaldo gets the ball and then, takes his team to get a shot away from a tight angle. He hits the post but the offside flag is raised. That is quite a few times Ronaldo has been flagged offside today. 

Alex Telles finds Ronaldo with a pinpoint cross from the left flank but the latter gets over the ball and botches his header. Considering his aerial prowess, Ronaldo will be disappointed at that and his reaction shows it. 

Sherif almost gets at the end of an excellent cross from the flanks but the Al Nassr backline deals with the danger. Khaleef, despite being the weaker team on paper, has had its fair share of opportunities today. 

Al-Torais swings another good cross in from the left, intending to find Sherif but Al-Khaibari clears the ball away with a header. However, the clearance is weak and the ball falls to Narey, who goes for a first-time volley but fails to hit the target. 

Al-Torais drives in a cross from the left flank, with the hope of finding Sherif in the middle but the cross goes straight to Ospina, who does well to catch the ball and hold on to itl 

Rebocho pings an excellent cross inside the box from the left flank but none of the Khaleej players could get a finishing touch. In the end, substitute Alhassan clears the ball to safety. 

NAS sub: IN- Alhassan OUT- Al-Amri 

Match goalless as the second half between Al Nassr and Al Khaleej kicks-off at the Prince Mohammad bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam. 

The match is goalless as the referee blows the whistle for offside. Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Sherif of Al Nassr and Al Khaleej, respectively had goals ruled out due to offisde. 

Otavio slips a pass to Ronaldo inside the box and the latter goes for a shot at the bear post. Sehic makes himself big and pulls off a solid save. That time, Ronaldo had timed his run to perfection. 

It looks like Al Khaleej is more interested in containing Al Nassr than going for a goal. It can turn out to be a dangerous tactic, considering Al Nassr’s firepower. 

Five minutes added at the end of the first half!

Al Nassr booking: Al-Amri sees a yellow card 

Al Nassr sub: IN- Al-Aliwa OUT- Al-Ghareeb 

A cross is played towards Brozovic from the left flank but the latter cannot make a proper connection. Ivo Rodrigues clears the ball to safety. 

The match resumes after its first water break!

Brozovic’s cross for Ronaldo is not dealt with properly by the Al Khaleej defence and the ball falls to Al-Khaibari, who goes for a first time effort but skies his effort. 

Ronaldo has gone down in front of the Al Khaleej box but it is not because of any tackle. His foot was caught in grass, which in turn, twisted his ankle. That is a painful one but Ronaldo will be okay to continue. He waves away the medical team, telling them that he will be okay. 

Ronaldo wins the ball inside the box after some sloppy defending. He then shoots at goal but Sehic makes a solid save to keep out the Al Nassr captain. That is an escape for Khaleej. 

Al-Khaibari goes on a brilliant run and tries to take on everyone and get a shot away at goal. He does well initially but is eventually outmuscled before he can take a shot at goal. Otavio was available was a pass but Al Khaibari chose to go alone. 

Goal ruled out for offside - This time Ronaldo has a goal ruled out for offside. He did well to take the ball round the keeper and then lash it inside the net, but the flag immediately went up. So, both teams have had goals disallowed for offside. 

Sherif shows good control to bring down the ball after a long ball was played towards him. He miscues his shot and ends up hitting the post. The flag goes up for offside. 

Ronaldo takes an aerial through ball on the stride, and goes for a first-time shot, hitting the crossbar. But the offside flag goes up as the Portuguese had timed his run too early. 

Goal ruled out for offside- Al Khaleej’s joy is short-lived after Mohamed Sherif’s goal us ruled out because of offside. It was a good finish from Sherif, nutmegging Ospina but he had timed his run too early. 

Khaleej’s Narey gets the ball at the edge of the box and goes for a powerful grounded shot. The effort is straight at Ospina, who collects comfortably. If it was in either of the sides, it might have been tricky for the Al Nassr keeper. 

Al Ghanam goes for a cross again from the right but this time, it is blocked and the ball goes out for a corner. 

Al Nassr almost gets a goal in the first minute after an attacking start. Al-Ghanam sends a low cross from the right flank, intending to find Ronaldo, but Khaleej keeper Sehic gets to the ball first. 

The Saudi Pro League 2023-24 match between Al Khaleej and Al Nassr is underway at the Prince Mohammad bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam. 

Al Khaleej will face Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday. The home team are currently placed in 10th position in the points table of the Saudi Pro League with 35 points.

Al Nassr is second in the points table with 68 points, 12 points behind Al Hilal with six games remaining. 

Even though a title challenge looks improbable, Al Nassr will aim to finish the season on a positive note. 

When and where will the Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr Saudi Pro League match kick-off?

The Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr Saudi Pro League match will kick-off at 11:30 PM IST, Saturday, April 27 at the Prince Mohammad bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam. 

Where to watch the Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr Saudi Pro League match?

The Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr Saudi Pro League match will be live telecasted on the Sony Sports Network. The match will also live streamed on the Sony LIV app and website.