Joao Felix shines as Cristiano Ronaldo rests ahead of upcoming league match
Category: Sports
Al-Nassr secured a commanding 4-1 victory against Al-Diriyah in the King’s Cup Round of 32 on August 18, 2026, at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. The match saw Joao Felix emerge as the standout player, contributing significantly to the win in the absence of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who was rested for this encounter.
This victory advances Al-Nassr to the round of 16 and reinforces their status as one of the elite teams in the Saudi football scene. The team’s performance highlighted their depth and ability to adapt without their captain, who is contemplating retirement.
Al-Diriyah made a promising start, with Oscar Rodriguez scoring just two minutes into the match. Rodriguez capitalized on a low cross, turning it past Al-Nassr’s goalkeeper, Bento, to give his team an early lead. This goal, though a moment of hope for Al-Diriyah, was quickly overshadowed by Al-Nassr's response.
In the 11th minute, Joao Felix played a key role in leveling the score, assisting French defender Mohamed Simakan, who executed a clever back-heel to find the net. Felix's influence on the game continued to grow, as he scored Al-Nassr's second goal in the 36th minute. Following a swift attack, Kingsley Coman delivered a low cross that Felix turned in with precision, putting Al-Nassr ahead.
Just a minute later, Abdullah Al-Hamdan scored the third goal for Al-Nassr, rounding the Al-Diriyah goalkeeper after receiving a slick through ball from Senegalese winger Sadio Mane. Felix capped off a remarkable performance by scoring his second goal in the 68th minute, finishing a fine cross from right-back Nawaf Boushal.
Al-Nassr’s victory in the King’s Cup comes after a strong start to their Saudi Pro League campaign, having won their opening match 3-0 against Al-Fateh just days prior on August 15, 2026. The team, managed by Ange Postecoglou, has shown resilience and depth, particularly in light of Ronaldo's absence. The decision to rest Ronaldo, who recently returned from a grueling summer with the Portuguese national team at the 2026 World Cup, reflects a strategic approach to managing player fitness early in the season.
Ronaldo, who is 41 years old, has indicated that the current Saudi Pro League season may be his last. He stated, “This is probably my last year in football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy.” His contract with Al-Nassr, signed in December 2022, is set to expire in June 2027, and he has expressed doubts about extending it.
The match against Al-Diriyah also marked a new chapter for both teams, as they agreed to share the Al-Awwal Park stadium for the 2026-27 season. This arrangement reflects the growing competitiveness of Saudi football, with newly promoted Al-Diriyah looking to establish themselves against more established clubs like Al-Nassr.
With this win, Al-Nassr moves forward in the King’s Cup, joining other major clubs such as Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Qadsiah in the round of 16. The team's next challenge will be a league match against Al Riyadh on August 21, 2026, where Ronaldo is expected to return to the squad.
The upcoming match will be a test for Al-Nassr as they aim to maintain momentum in both league and cup competitions. Fans will eagerly await to see how Ronaldo’s return affects the team dynamics and whether he can replicate his previous season’s success, which saw Al-Nassr crowned champions of the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Diriyah, on the other hand, will need to regroup after this defeat. The newly promoted side showed promise early in the match but will need to learn from their mistakes to compete effectively in future fixtures. Their experienced players, such as Chancel Mbemba and Idrissa Gueye, will be key as they navigate the challenges of the season ahead.
As the season progresses, the focus will remain on the performances of both Al-Nassr and Al-Diriyah, particularly in how they adapt to the pressures of competition. The King’s Cup offers a stage for both teams to showcase their talents and ambitions, with Al-Nassr looking to reclaim glory in a tournament they last won in 1990.