Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Al Nassr preserved their perfect start to the Saudi Pro League season with a dramatic but highly controversial 2-1 victory over Al Fayha on Saturday. The match was decided deep into the most extraordinary period of stoppage time, with Cristiano Ronaldo converting a penalty in the 105th minute—a decision that has instantly ignited widespread debate across the league.
Al Nassr, fielding a star-studded lineup, was given an early scare when Al Fayha took a surprise lead in the 13th minute through a clinical finish from Spanish forward Jason. The hosts struggled to break down a well-organized Al Fayha defense, but star power eventually prevailed when Ronaldo found the equalizer in the 37th minute, ensuring the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
The second half was a tense affair, with Al Fayha standing firm and frustrating the league leaders. However, the game descended into pure theater during the lengthy second-half stoppage time. With the clock having already surpassed the 100-minute mark, the referee was called to the monitor for a lengthy VAR review for a foul inside the Al Fayha box on defender Abdulelah Al-Amri. After minutes of consultation, the penalty was awarded in the 105th minute. Ronaldo made no mistake, smashing the ball home to secure the 2-1 victory and his brace.
The decision—and the remarkable 15 minutes of added time—immediately drew fire. Rival players were quick to react, with high-profile Saudi Pro League stars such as Ruben Neves and Riyad Mahrez taking to social media to mock the poor standard of officiating with laughing emojis, widely interpreted as a commentary on the apparent preferential treatment Al Nassr received for the late winner.
The victory extends Al Nassr’s flawless winning streak to seven games, keeping them firmly atop the league table. However, the contentious nature of the game’s decisive moment ensures that the discussion around the late penalty will undoubtedly dominate football analysis and headlines for the foreseeable future.
