Al Nassr Secure Season-Opening Victory Against Al Taawoun with João Félix Goal

Al Nassr 1-0 Al Taawoun

Saudi Pro League - Matchday 1 Friday, August 29, 2025 - King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr kicked off their 2025-26 Saudi Pro League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Al Taawoun at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Buraidah.

Match Summary

The victory came courtesy of new signing João Félix, who found the net in the 7th minute to give Al Nassr an early advantage. The Portuguese forward, who joined from Chelsea this summer, capitalized on the space created by his attacking teammates to slot home what proved to be the match-winner.

The opening goal showcased the attacking prowess that Al Nassr have assembled for the new season. With Cristiano Ronaldo drawing defenders and creating space, Félix was perfectly positioned to finish the move, demonstrating the chemistry already developing between the new signings.

First Half Action

The match saw some heated moments in the opening 45 minutes, with Al Taawoun’s Roger Martínez receiving a yellow card in the 16th minute, followed by another caution for Flávio in the 35th minute. Despite the physical nature of the game, Al Nassr maintained their composure and protected their slender lead going into halftime.

Team Lineups and Tactics

Al Nassr fielded a strong starting XI featuring their marquee signings. The team lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Nawaf Al-Aqidi in goal, and a defensive line of Aiman Yahya, Iñigo Martínez, Mohamed Simakan, and Nawaf Boushal. The midfield featured Marcelo Brozovic and Ângelo Gabriel, while the attacking trio consisted of Kingsley Coman, João Félix, and Sadio Mané supporting Cristiano Ronaldo up front.

Al Taawoun set up in a 4-3-3 formation with Abdulquddus Atiah between the posts. Their defensive unit included Renne Rivas, Waleed Al-Ahmed, Andrei Girotto, and Mohammed Mahzari, while the midfield was anchored by Aschraf El Mahdioui, Flávio, and Abdulelah. The attacking trident featured Mohammed Al Kuwaykibi, Musa Barrow, and Roger Martínez.

Statistical Dominance

Al Nassr controlled the proceedings throughout the match, enjoying 58.5% possession compared to Al Taawoun’s 41.5%. The visitors also outshot their hosts, registering 7 shot attempts to Al Taawoun’s 3, with 4 of Al Nassr’s efforts testing the goalkeeper compared to just 1 from the home side.

Season Context

This victory marks a perfect start to Al Nassr’s quest for their first Saudi Pro League title since Ronaldo’s arrival in January 2023. The team has undergone significant changes over the summer, bringing in high-profile additions including Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich, João Félix from Chelsea, and veteran defender Iñigo Martínez.

Under new manager Jorge Jesus, who previously achieved success with rivals Al Hilal, Al Nassr will be hoping to finally deliver the silverware that has eluded them during Ronaldo’s tenure. The Portuguese superstar, who recently signed a new two-year contract extension, scored his 100th goal for the club during the Saudi Super Cup final defeat to Al Ahli just days before this season opener.

Looking Ahead

The three points earned away from home represent an excellent start for Al Nassr, who have historically struggled against Al Taawoun in recent encounters. Prior to this match, Al Taawoun had gone unbeaten in their last three meetings with Al Nassr, including two 1-1 draws in the previous season.

With this victory, Al Nassr temporarily sits among the early leaders of the Saudi Pro League table as other teams begin their campaigns. The result will provide confidence for Jorge Jesus’s side as they pursue what they hope will be a championship-winning season.

The match demonstrated that despite the high-profile nature of the Saudi Pro League’s marquee signings, every fixture requires maximum effort and concentration to secure victory, as Al Taawoun proved to be resilient opponents throughout the 90 minutes.