Al Nassr vs Almeria: Ronaldo's Brace Not Enough as Almeria Wins 3-2 in Pre-Season Friendly

Al Nassr vs Almeria: Ronaldo's Brace Not Enough as Almeria Wins 3-2 in Pre-Season Friendly

In a thrilling pre-season friendly match between Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr and La Liga 2 club Almeria, it was the Spanish side that emerged victorious with a 3-2 win. Despite a valiant effort from Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored twice for Al Nassr, the hosts couldn't prevent a loss to Almeria on August 10, 2025. Here's a detailed breakdown of the match and key moments that led to Almeria's well-earned victory.

Ronaldo's Early Equalizer Not Enough for Al Nassr

The match started with high energy, and just minutes in, Almeria took the lead in the 6th minute. A well-timed through ball from Leo Baptistao set up Arribas, who was clinical in his 1v1 situation with Al Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf. It was a quick strike from Almeria, putting them up 1-0 early in the game.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo quickly responded for Al Nassr in the 17th minute, leveling the score at 1-1. The Portuguese star showcased his finishing skills with a superb one-touch goal after a series of quick passes from his teammates Ayman, Mane, and Joao Felix. Ronaldo's calm finish helped restore hope for the Saudi team.

 Almeria Strikes Again: Embarba's Clever Goal

The game became more competitive as both sides fought for dominance. Just before the half-hour mark, Almeria struck again in the 43rd minute. Goalkeeper Nawaf was caught off guard after an attempted clearance went awry, and Adrian Embarba was in the right place at the right time to lob the ball into the empty net. This gave Almeria a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.

 Penalty Drama: Ronaldo Scores Again

In the second half, Al Nassr was awarded a penalty in the 39th minute after a tackle from Almeria’s goalkeeper Fernandez on Ronaldo. The referee pointed to the spot, and Ronaldo stepped up with confidence. He struck a powerful shot to the top right corner, sending the keeper the wrong way and scoring his second goal of the match, tying the game at 2-2.

Despite Ronaldo’s brace, the match remained competitive, with both teams creating chances. But it was Almeria’s attacking play that proved to be more effective in the final stages.

 Almeria's Third Goal: Embarba Clinches the Win

In the 61st minute, Almeria scored their third and final goal of the match. The play began with Luna’s run down the right, delivering a pass to Arribas who laid it off to Embarba. Embarba made no mistake, finding the top left corner of the goal with a powerful strike. This goal gave Almeria a 3-2 advantage, and despite late pressure from Al Nassr, they could not find an equalizer.

 Close Calls for Al Nassr

As the match progressed, Al Nassr fought to get back into the game, but their efforts were thwarted by Almeria's solid defense. A free kick from Mane in the 83rd minute rattled the crossbar, but no player was able to capitalize on the rebound. In the 79th minute, Al Nassr came close again when Chumi's header from a corner was saved by Nawaf, but the scoreline remained in favor of Almeria.

Despite some chances and half-hearted attempts at creating pressure, Al Nassr was unable to break through Almeria’s defense in the latter stages of the game.

 Al Nassr's Struggles and Ronaldo's Leadership

While the match ended in disappointment for Al Nassr, Ronaldo's leadership and effort were evident. He was involved in both goals for Al Nassr, and his presence on the field was crucial in keeping the team competitive. However, despite his two goals, Al Nassr struggled to gain momentum after conceding the first goal and failed to control the match. The lack of support for Ronaldo from his teammates was evident, especially in the final minutes.

Al Nassr manager Jorge Jesus will be looking to address these issues as they prepare for the upcoming season. With the team playing in the Saudi Pro League and with expectations high, they need to be more consistent in both attack and defense moving forward.

 Almeria’s Performance: Solid and Efficient

On the other hand, Almeria showcased their quality throughout the match. Despite being a lower-division team, they were organized and clinical in attack, with Embarba and Arribas both contributing significantly to the team's victory. The tactical setup from manager Rubi was efficient, with Almeria executing their counter-attacks and set-pieces effectively, particularly in the second half.

The win against a high-profile team like Al Nassr is a great boost for Almeria, as they head into their preparations for the upcoming season in La Liga 2. Their solid defensive display, coupled with clinical finishing, helped them secure the win in a hard-fought encounter.

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Key Takeaways

●     Cristiano Ronaldo's Double: The Portuguese superstar scored twice in the match, but his brace was not enough to prevent Al Nassr from losing.

●     Almeria's Clinical Attack: Embarba's brace and Arribas' assist helped Almeria win the match despite Al Nassr's attacking threat.

●     Tactical Changes: Both teams made tactical adjustments throughout the game, but Almeria’s sharper finishing and defensive resilience allowed them to claim the victory.

●     Pre-Season Learning: Al Nassr will need to learn from their mistakes as they continue their pre-season preparation, with a focus on improving their defensive stability.