RIYADH (Azat TV) – Al-Nassr secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Al-Taawoun at Al-Awwal Park Stadium on Monday, January 26, 2026, narrowing the gap to Saudi Pro League leaders Al Hilal to just five points. The decisive moment came late in the first half with an own goal from Al-Taawoun defender Mohammed Al Dossari, allowing Al-Nassr to maintain its strong contention in the intensely competitive domestic title race.
Early Dominance and Disallowed Goals
From the outset, Al-Nassr sought to impose its will on the match, showcasing an attacking intent that saw two early goals disallowed. In the 4th minute, Mohamed Simakan appeared to give Al-Nassr the lead with a header from a free-kick, but the goal was overturned by VAR for offside. Cristiano Ronaldo, the league’s top scorer, also had an attempt ruled out for offside in the 20th minute after poking the ball past goalkeeper Maílson. Despite these setbacks, Al-Nassr continued to press, with Ronaldo testing Maílson in the 26th minute with a right-footed shot that the Al-Taawoun keeper skillfully saved, according to VAVEL.
The first half was also characterized by a series of fouls and yellow cards. Al-Nassr’s Saad Al Nasser received a yellow card in the 9th minute, followed by Al-Taawoun’s Muteb Al Mufarrij in the 30th minute and Marcelo Brozovic for Al-Nassr in the 33rd minute. The match’s physicality was evident as both teams vied for control.
Al-Nassr Breaks Through with Own Goal
The breakthrough for Al-Nassr finally arrived in the 44th minute, just before halftime. Sadio Mané delivered a curling ball into the six-yard area from the left wing. In an attempt to intercept the pass ahead of Brozovic, Al-Taawoun defender Mohammed Al Dossari inadvertently guided the ball into his own net, giving Al-Nassr a 1-0 lead. This own goal proved to be the difference-maker in a tightly contested affair.
The second half saw Al-Nassr continue to create scoring opportunities, eager to extend their lead. In the 58th minute, Sadio Mané came agonizingly close to scoring, hitting the right post after receiving a pass from João Félix. Minutes later, Kingsley Coman and Sultan Al Ghannam also had shots on target, but Al-Taawoun’s goalkeeper Maílson made crucial saves to keep his team in the game. Al-Nassr maintained significant possession, with Sportstar reporting 64 percent possession for the home side.
Al-Taawoun made several substitutions in the second half, with coach Péricles Chamusca bringing on Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Cristhoper Zambrano, Abdulfattah Adam Mohammed, and Ahmed Bahusayn in an effort to find an equalizer. However, Al-Nassr’s defense, led by Iñigo Martínez and Mohamed Simakan, held firm, thwarting Al-Taawoun’s attempts to create clear-cut chances.
Coaches’ Perspectives and League Standing
Pre-match comments from both coaches highlighted the differing challenges faced by their respective clubs. Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus shared insights into the club’s transfer market operations, stating, “What I want and need is one thing, the reality is another. At Al Nassr the situation is different. When I want a player I have to talk to Simão [Coutinho, sporting director] and Semedo [CEO], they spend a lot of time looking for solutions with the management. In the end, sometimes they can’t afford the transfer fee.” This suggests potential constraints on Al-Nassr’s squad development despite its star power.
Meanwhile, Al-Taawoun coach Péricles Chamusca reflected on his longevity and success in Saudi Arabia, attributing it to “being able to assemble good technical committees” and “understanding the local culture well.” Chamusca, as the foreign coach with the longest tenure in the league, emphasized the importance of respecting local specificities in managing players.
With this victory, Al-Nassr now stands just five points behind Al Hilal, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Riyadh on Sunday. The win is crucial for Al-Nassr’s title aspirations, ensuring they remain firmly in the hunt as the Saudi Pro League season progresses past its midway point. The intense competition at the top promises an exciting second half of the season.
The ability of Al-Nassr to secure a vital three points, even without a goal from their prolific attackers like Cristiano Ronaldo or Sadio Mané, underscores the team’s resilience and depth. This gritty performance, decided by an own goal, demonstrates a championship mentality to grind out results when direct attacking flair is stifled, a crucial trait for any side aiming for a league title.