Sadio Man\u00e9 produced a match-winning brace as ten-man Al Nassr completed an extraordinary second-half comeback to defeat Al Ettifaq 3-2 in the Saudi Pro League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Al Nassr appeared destined for defeat after losing goalkeeper Bento to an early red card and falling 2-0 behind before half-time. Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted during the interval, but his teammates delivered a remarkable response without their captain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Man\u00e9 opened Al Nassr\u2019s account in the 74th minute before Ali Al-Amri equalised only three minutes later. The Senegal international then completed the comeback with his second goal in the 90th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jo\u00e3o F\u00e9lix was another central figure in the turnaround, supplying two assists during a devastating three-minute spell that brought Al Nassr back into the contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result gave Al Nassr three victories from their opening three league matches, taking them to nine points and maintaining their perfect start to the season. ESPN\u2019s league table<\/a> placed them at the top with a goal difference of plus eight after three rounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Al Nassr\u2019s game plan was disrupted inside the opening 12 minutes when goalkeeper Bento was shown a straight red card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Brazilian rushed outside his penalty area in an attempt to stop Moussa Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 but brought down the Al Ettifaq striker. The referee dismissed Bento for the challenge, leaving Al Nassr to play almost the entire match with ten men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Angelo Gabriel was sacrificed as 18-year-old reserve goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi entered the match. The early dismissal forced Al Nassr into a more cautious shape and allowed Al Ettifaq to control possession and attack the visitors\u2019 reorganised defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hosts capitalised in the 31st minute through Ondrej Duda. \u00c1lvaro Medr\u00e1n then doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time, sending Al Ettifaq into the break with a commanding 2-0 lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cristiano Ronaldo started the match and registered an effort on target, but Al Nassr\u2019s numerical disadvantage limited his opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With his team two goals down and needing greater balance in midfield, Ronaldo was replaced by Abdullah Al-Khaibari at half-time. The decision gave Al Nassr another player in the central areas as they attempted to remain competitive with ten men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was an unusual situation for Al Nassr, but the second-half response demonstrated that the team could still threaten without its record-breaking captain on the pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Al Nassr remained 2-0 behind until the 74th minute, when Jo\u00e3o F\u00e9lix created the breakthrough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Portuguese attacker supplied Man\u00e9, who converted to reduce the deficit and give the visitors fresh belief. F\u00e9lix then delivered his second assist only three minutes later, setting up defender Ali Al-Amri for the equaliser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From appearing beaten at 2-0 down, Al Nassr had transformed the contest in the space of three minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n F\u00e9lix remained dangerous throughout the match, recording three shots on target in addition to his two assists. His movement between midfield and attack helped Al Nassr progress the ball despite their numerical disadvantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His performance showed why he can be one of the club\u2019s most important creative players. With opposing defences naturally paying close attention to Ronaldo and Man\u00e9, F\u00e9lix can exploit the spaces that open around Al Nassr\u2019s leading scorers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Man\u00e9 completed the comeback in the 90th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sami Al-Naji created the winning goal, and the former Liverpool forward finished the opportunity to make it 3-2. The strike completed Man\u00e9\u2019s brace and one of Al Nassr\u2019s most impressive league victories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Senegal international ended the match with two goals from three shots on target. More importantly, both goals arrived when Al Nassr desperately needed a decisive attacking contribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Man\u00e9\u2019s first strike gave his team hope. His second turned a potential defeat into three points.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBento\u2019s Early Red Card Changes the Match<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cristiano Ronaldo Substituted at Half-Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Jo\u00e3o F\u00e9lix Ignites the Comeback<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sadio Man\u00e9 Scores Dramatic Late Winner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n