Al Akhdoud 0-9 Al Nassr: Sadio Mané’s super hat-trick rekindles Al Nassr’s hopes
Al Nassr delivered a thunderous response to recent setbacks with a 9-0 demolition of Al Okhdood on Monday night, fueled by a sensational four-goal performance from Sadio Mané. The resounding win not only reignited their Roshn Saudi League campaign but also reignited belief within the squad that a top-two finish is still within reach.
The emphatic result came at a critical moment for Al Nassr, who entered the fixture on the back of two demoralizing defeats. First, a painful exit in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite, followed by a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to league leaders Al Ittihad—despite leading 2-0 at half-time. That crushing defeat seemingly dashed their 2024/25 RSL title aspirations and dropped them to fifth on the table.
Faced with a recalibrated objective of finishing strong and possibly overtaking rivals Al Hilal for second place, the Riyadh-based side needed a statement win. And they delivered in stunning fashion in Najran, equalling the biggest winning margin in the league this season—all without their talisman and captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was rested for the encounter.
With Ronaldo out, it was Sadio Mané who rose to the occasion, producing a scintillating “super hat-trick” by scoring in the 45+6’, 59’, 64’, and 74’ minutes. The Senegalese winger’s explosive performance was instrumental in dismantling Al Okhdood and breathing life back into Al Nassr’s campaign.
The 9-0 rout, orchestrated under manager Stefano Pioli, not only propelled Al Nassr to third in the standings but also narrowed the gap to second-placed Al Hilal to just five points. Al Hilal, the defending RSL champions, maintained their edge earlier that day with a 4-0 win over Al Orobah. With only three rounds remaining in the 2024/25 season, the race for the runners-up spot is heating up.
Mané Reacts After Super Showdown
Speaking after the game, Mané expressed his delight at the team’s collective effort:
“First of all, I’m really happy about the performance of the team today. We played great tonight,” said the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star. “In the beginning, we started the game well and scored almost all our chances. That made the game easier.”
Reflecting on the poor run leading up to this clash, Mané added:
“I usually don’t like to talk about the previous matches, but we didn’t do as well as we could, unfortunately. And today we played well, created many chances; all the chances we created, we scored. That was the key tonight.”
The result was more than just three points—it was a morale boost and a timely reminder that Al Nassr remain one of the Saudi Pro League’s elite outfits, even without their star man Ronaldo on the pitch.
Focus Shifts to Final Stretch of the Season
With three matches left, Al Nassr are not giving up on the possibility of leapfrogging their Capital Derby rivals. The five-point gap is surmountable, but it requires consistency and perfection in the closing rounds.
Meanwhile, Al Hilal remain hopeful of chasing down Al Ittihad, who currently sit atop the standings. The Jeddah giants are six points ahead and could clinch the title as early as Thursday with a win over already-relegated Al Raed.
For Al Nassr, the focus is clear: take it one game at a time, maintain momentum, and stay within striking distance. If Mané’s heroics are anything to go by, this team is far from done. Fans of the Roshn Saudi League can expect a thrilling end to the 2024/25 season, with the battle for second place—and potentially more—still alive.
SportsLigue