Al-Nassr 2-0 Al-Ahli: Ronaldo Hits 970th in Title Race Win

Al-Nassr beat Al-Ahli 2-0 at Al-Awwal Park on Wednesday 29 April 2026, taking a decisive step toward the Saudi Pro League title. Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock with a 76th-minute header, the 970th goal of his career, before Kingsley Coman settled the contest with a late volley. Our Riyadh football coverage follows every Saudi Pro League fixture played in the capital this season.

The game had been billed as a Golden Boot duel. Ivan Toney arrived on 27 league goals for Al-Ahli, with Ronaldo on 24. In the end, it was the 41-year-old who decided it, rising at the near post to flick João Félix’s corner into the far corner, then watching Coman smash home the second.

How Al-Nassr won it

The first half was cagey. Al-Ahli, fresh off their AFC Champions League Elite triumph, defended in numbers and carried a threat on the break. Just before the interval, VAR overturned a potential penalty for the visitors, and the sides went in level at 0-0.

Ronaldo had already missed a one-on-one against Edouard Mendy before the breakthrough finally arrived in the 76th minute. Félix swung in a corner from the left, and Ronaldo’s trademark leap did the rest. It was his 970th professional goal, and it earned him the player-of-the-match award.

As Al-Ahli pushed forward for an equalizer, Al-Nassr exploited the space. In the 90th minute, Coman drilled a stunning volley from the edge of the penalty box past Mendy to make it 2-0 and end the argument.

The win briefly boiled over after the final whistle. Coman’s heavy challenge on Merih Demiral in the 98th minute triggered a heated confrontation involving players from both sides, and officials had to step in to separate the groups near the touchline.

What the result meant for the title race

The 2-0 win lifted Al-Nassr to 79 points from 30 matches, with 26 wins, one draw and three defeats. Closest challengers Al-Hilal trailed by eight points with a game in hand, and with only four games remaining, the title was within touching distance.

It also stretched Al-Nassr’s remarkable run to 20 matches unbeaten in all competitions, a sequence that began back in January with a 3-2 win over Al-Shabab. The league winning streak alone reached 16 games.

For Al-Ahli, the defeat ended a fine run of form but changed little about their season. They remained in the hunt for AFC Champions League qualification, and Toney stayed top of the Golden Boot race.

Four days later, Al-Nassr’s title push hit a bump: Al-Qadsiah beat them 3-1 in Khobar on 3 May. The Riyadh derby against Al-Hilal finished 1-1 at Al-Awwal Park on 12 May, before Al-Nassr closed the season with a 4-1 final-day win over Damac to seal the championship.

Match details

Frequently asked questions

What was the score in Al-Nassr vs Al-Ahli on 29 April 2026?
Al-Nassr won 2-0 at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the 76th minute and Kingsley Coman added the second in the 90th minute.

Which career goal did Ronaldo score against Al-Ahli?
The 76th-minute header was the 970th goal of Cristiano Ronaldo’s professional career, taking him closer to the 1,000-goal mark.

What did the win mean for the Saudi Pro League title race?
It took Al-Nassr to 79 points from 30 matches, eight clear of Al-Hilal with four games left, putting the title within touching distance.

Where was Al-Nassr vs Al-Ahli played?
At Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, Al-Nassr’s home ground, with kickoff at 20:00 local time.

Who was the player of the match?
Cristiano Ronaldo, for the decisive 76th-minute header and his all-round influence in a tight game.

Last updated: 22 October 2026. Sources: Sofascore, Outlook India, The Statesman, NDTV Profit.