Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Al Shabab denied Al Nassr a victory with a dramatic 2-2 draw in Round 24 of the Saudi Pro League, capitalizing on a numerical advantage after the hosts were reduced to 10 men early in the second half.
Al Nassr, now with 48 points in fourth place, had taken a late first-half lead through Cristiano Ronaldo, whose stoppage-time goal was confirmed after a lengthy VAR review for a potential offside.
Earlier, Abderrazak Hamdallah had put Al Shabab ahead from the penalty spot in the 44th minute, celebrating in front of his former club's fans, only for Ayman Yahya to level the score just three minutes later.
However, Al Nassr's momentum took a hit when Mohammed Al-Fatil was sent off early in the second half.
Al Shabab capitalized in the 67th minute as Mohammed Al-Shuwairekh rose high to head home the equalizer.
Ronaldo was substituted in the 70th minute for Colombian striker Jhon Durán, but the visitors held firm to secure a point.
Al Shabab sits sixth in the standings with 40 points.
Elsewhere, Aleksandar Mitrović made a triumphant return from injury, scoring in his first match back as Al Hilal defeated Al Fayha 2-0 in Buraidah.
The Serbian striker, who had been out since January after a King’s Cup quarterfinal loss to Al Ittihad, came off the bench in the 63rd minute and sealed the win with a clinical finish in the 89th minute after a pinpoint assist from Salem Al-Dawsari.
Earlier, Mohammed Kanno had given Al Hilal the lead in the 18th minute with a towering header from a corner.
The visitors continued to push, with Kalidou Koulibaly coming close with a header that bounced just over the bar, while Al-Dawsari saw a fierce shot flash narrowly wide in the second half.
Al Hilal’s victory moves them to 54 points, closing the gap on league leaders Al Ittihad to four points after the defending champions were held to a 1-1 draw against Al Qadsiah. Al Fayha remains 14th with 22 points.
In Jeddah, Galeno rescued a point for Al Ahli with a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw against Al Khaleej.
The visitors had taken a surprising lead when Saeed Al-Hamsal inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 30th minute. However, Abdullah Al-Salem fired home an equalizer in first-half stoppage time before Fábio Martins put Al Khaleej ahead early in the second half.
Just as it seemed Al Ahli would suffer a costly defeat, Galeno struck with a low drive in the 89th minute to ensure his side avoided a home upset.
Al Ahli remains fifth with 48 points, while Al Khaleej sits 10th with 30 points.
