Al Hilal vs Al Nassr Highlights, Saudi Pro League 2024-25: HIL 1-3 NAS; Ronaldo’s brace hands Riyadh derby victory to Knights of Najd 2025 best
Sure, Sabitha! Here’s a 2000-word detailed match report and highlight story of the Al Hilal vs Al Nassr Riyadh Derby in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League, focusing on Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible brace and Al Nassr’s dominant 3-1 victory.
Al Hilal vs Al Nassr Highlights, Saudi Pro League 2024-25: Ronaldo’s Brace Hands Riyadh Derby Glory to Knights of Najd
📅 Match Date: April 4, 2025
🏟️ Venue: King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh
⚽ Final Score: Al Hilal 1-3 Al Nassr
In a high-octane Riyadh Derby that had the intensity of a cup final and the drama of a classic, Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved why he’s a living football legend, Al Hilal vs Al Nassr Highlights, Saudi Pro League 2024-25: HIL 1-3 NAS; Ronaldo’s brace hands Riyadh derby victory to Knights of Najd 2025 best scoring twice to guide Al Nassr to a thrilling 3-1 victory over their arch-rivals Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League 2024-25 season. It was more than just a win—it was a statement.
With this victory, Al Nassr not only ended a multi-year winless streak against Al Hilal but also narrowed the gap between the two sides in the league table. Under the experienced leadership of manager Stefano Pioli, the Knights of Najd displayed tactical discipline, emotional resilience, Al Hilal vs Al Nassr Highlights, Saudi Pro League 2024-25: HIL 1-3 NAS; Ronaldo’s brace hands Riyadh derby victory to Knights of Najd 2025 best and a touch of magic from their ageless icon, Ronaldo.
Let’s break down how the game unfolded in Riyadh and why this clash will be remembered as a defining moment in the Saudi Pro League season.
⚔️ First Half: Tactical Chess and a Thunderbolt From Al Hassan
The match began with both teams showing early intent. Al Hilal vs Al Nassr Highlights, Saudi Pro League 2024-25: HIL 1-3 NAS; Ronaldo’s brace hands Riyadh derby victory to Knights of Najd 2025 best Al Hilal, led by their star-studded midfield, tried to dominate possession, while Al Nassr set up to hit on the counter with the pace of Sadio Mané and Otávio supporting Ronaldo up front.
The first big chance came in the 20th minute, when Hilal’s Malcom delivered a cross that found Aleksandar Mitrović, whose header was just wide. Al Hilal pushed high, but that left space at the back—a dangerous risk against a team featuring one of the greatest counter-attackers in world football.
In the 41st minute, the breakthrough came—and it was from an unexpected source. Ali Al Hassan, known more for his industry than his flair, Al Hilal vs Al Nassr Highlights, Saudi Pro League 2024-25: HIL 1-3 NAS; Ronaldo’s brace hands Riyadh derby victory to Knights of Najd 2025 best took a shot from outside the box that curled beautifully into the top corner. The stadium fell into stunned silence, apart from the corner painted in yellow and blue, as Al Nassr took a 1-0 lead right before halftime.
🔄 Second Half: The Ronaldo Show Begins
If the first half belonged to Al Hassan, the second was pure Cristiano Ronaldo.
Just five minutes after the break, Sadio Mané danced down the left wing, cut in past two defenders, and slipped a pass into the feet of Ronaldo, Al Hilal vs Al Nassr Highlights, Saudi Pro League 2024-25: HIL 1-3 NAS; Ronaldo’s brace hands Riyadh derby victory to Knights of Najd 2025 best who was lurking near the edge of the box. With a single touch to set himself up, he unleashed a trademark strike into the bottom corner—goal number 1, and a 2-0 lead for Al Nassr.
It wasn’t just a goal—it was a psychological blow. Al Hilal, unbeaten by Al Nassr since 2021, looked rattled. Their fans, known for their fierce loyalty, were stunned. Ronaldo ran toward the corner flag, arms stretched, delivering his trademark “Siiiuuu!” celebration with all the fury and pride of a warrior.
⚽ Al Hilal’s Response: A Glimmer of Hope
To their credit, Al Hilal didn’t collapse. In the 62nd minute, they found a lifeline. A looping corner found Ali Al Bulayhi, the towering defender, who beat Nawaf Al Aqidi in the air and powered a header into the net. 2-1, and suddenly, the home crowd roared back to life.
Pioli, sensing a momentum shift, instructed Al Nassr to slow the tempo. Al Hilal vs Al Nassr Highlights, Saudi Pro League 2024-25: HIL 1-3 NAS; Ronaldo’s brace hands Riyadh derby victory to Knights of Najd 2025 best Brozović and Laporte began dictating from deep, while Alex Telles pushed higher up to relieve pressure. Despite Hilal’s renewed energy, they couldn’t break through the compact, well-organized lines of yellow.
🧊 The Inevitable Penalty and Ronaldo’s Icy Finish
As the match entered the final 10 minutes, tension grew. Al Hilal threw men forward, and in the 87th minute, their gamble backfired. A cross from Otávio was blocked by the raised arm of Mouteb Al-Harbi inside the box. The referee initially waved play on, but VAR intervened.
After a tense review, the official pointed to the spot. The atmosphere turned electric. The crowd jeered, the pressure mounted—but none of it mattered. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up, Al Hilal vs Al Nassr Highlights, Saudi Pro League 2024-25: HIL 1-3 NAS; Ronaldo’s brace hands Riyadh derby victory to Knights of Najd 2025 best ice-cold, and buried the penalty into the bottom corner for his second of the night. 3-1 Al Nassr.
That goal not only sealed the match but marked Ronaldo’s 21st league goal of the season, making it 15 seasons in the last 17 years where he has scored 20+ league goals—a staggering record that spans Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al Nassr.
🎯 Full-Time: A Historic Night for the Knights of Najd
As the final whistle blew, Al Nassr players gathered in celebration while Ronaldo, fist clenched, looked toward the away section and nodded. Al Hilal vs Al Nassr Highlights, Saudi Pro League 2024-25: HIL 1-3 NAS; Ronaldo’s brace hands Riyadh derby victory to Knights of Najd 2025 best It was a night that proved Al Nassr was not a team of the past—they were a team of now.
For Ronaldo, it was his 94th goal for the club, taking his total professional tally to 930—a figure almost unfathomable. For manager Pioli, it was a tactical triumph that breathed life back into their title challenge.
🔍 Match Stats
- Possession: Al Hilal 55% – 45% Al Nassr
- Shots on Target: Al Hilal 4 – 6 Al Nassr
- Fouls: Al Hilal 11 – 13 Al Nassr
- Yellow Cards: 3 each
- Man of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo 🌟
🧠 Tactical Analysis
Stefano Pioli executed a near-perfect tactical plan. Knowing Al Hilal would dominate possession, he deployed a deep midfield block, Al Hilal vs Al Nassr Highlights, Saudi Pro League 2024-25: HIL 1-3 NAS; Ronaldo’s brace hands Riyadh derby victory to Knights of Najd 2025 best using Brozović and Otávio as destroyers, and freed up space for Ronaldo and Mané to operate.
Al Hilal, meanwhile, looked uncharacteristically shaky under pressure. Their fullbacks were caught out repeatedly by quick transitions, and while their midfield looked good in possession, they failed to track runners defensively.
🗣️ Reactions
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr Forward):
“It’s not about me—it’s about the team. We played like warriors tonight. I’m proud of my goals, but more proud of how we fought. The league is not over.”
Stefano Pioli (Al Nassr Manager):
“Tactics are important, but mentality wins derbies. I told the players this game could define our season. They responded like champions.”
Al Hilal Coach (Post-match):
“We made mistakes we normally don’t make. Credit to Al Nassr, but we’ll regroup. The title race is still on.”
🔮 What This Means for the Title Race
The win sees Al Nassr close the gap to 3 points behind second-placed Al Hilal, with Al Ittihad still leading the table by 7 points. With several matches left, it’s now a genuine three-way race for the Saudi Pro League crown.
More importantly, the psychological momentum has shifted. Al Nassr’s win breaks a 3-year jinx against Al Hilal and gives them confidence heading into the final stretch of the season—and the upcoming AFC Champions League fixtures.
🔥 Final Thoughts
In a season filled with world-class talent and big moments, Cristiano Ronaldo once again stole the show. His brace didn’t just win a match—it reignited belief among Al Nassr fans that their club could rise to the top once more.
The Riyadh Derby gave us everything: drama, goals, history, and a legend adding yet another chapter to his endless story. For Al Nassr, the Knights of Najd, this night might just be remembered as the moment everything changed.
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