Cristiano Ronaldo's angry reaction to being substituted at halftime overshadowed Al-Nassr's dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League on Tuesday, August 25. The victory, which came after trailing 2-0 at the break, kept Al-Nassr top of the league after three games, but the focus was on the manager's decision to take off the team's captain.
The Substitution and Ronaldo's Reaction
Manager Ange Postecoglou substituted Ronaldo at halftime, with the 41-year-old replaced by Abdullah Al Khaibari at the start of the second half. Ronaldo was visibly upset as he left the pitch. According to multiple reports, he threw his arms up, angrily spoke to teammates and coaches, and threw his captain's armband on the floor before leaving the field. One report described him as "angrily coming off the pitch" while the team trailed by two goals. Another account noted he was "seen angrily rallying his team after they fell to 2-0 before halftime." The exact minute of the substitution varies among reports: one outlet said he was subbed off in the 46th minute, while another said it was after 48 minutes.
Postecoglou's Explanation
Postecoglou addressed the decision after the match. He told reporters, "When I made the substitutions, including taking Ronaldo off, I believed the players coming on could make an impact. I came here to help the players, so as I said, I’m proud of them because every substitute made a positive contribution." He also revealed his halftime message to the team, saying, "When we went into halftime two goals down, I told the players that the two goals could be overturned because they came from shots. We had an opportunity to make use of the wings, and that’s what we did. Honestly, what happened today is something to be proud of because my team secured a win under exhausting and difficult circumstances." The manager also made other changes, bringing on Sami Al-Najei and Al-Hamdan for Kingsley Coman and Samu, as reported by one outlet. Ronaldo is not injured and is expected to play in the next match against Al Taawoun.
The Comeback Win
The match was challenging for Al-Nassr from early on. Goalkeeper Bento Krepski was sent off in the first half for a poor tackle, with one report specifying the red card came in the 12th minute and was a straight red. His replacement, Abdulrahman Al Otaibi, was brought on for Angelo Gabriel. Al-Nassr fell behind 2-0, but a second-half surge turned the game around. Sadio Mane scored twice in the final 17 minutes, and Abdulelah Al Amri added a goal, completing a 3-2 victory. Joao Felix finished with two assists, according to one report.
The comeback maintained Al-Nassr's perfect start to the season, having won their first two games before this match. The win also kept them top of the Saudi Pro League after three games. The season's promising form follows a title-winning campaign last season, when Ronaldo scored 28 goals and added two assists as the club won the Saudi Pro League title—its 11th league championship but first during the Ronaldo era. Ronaldo has scored at least 25 league goals for Al-Nassr in the past three seasons.
Match Preview Context
Before the match, the fixture was billed as a significant test for both teams. Al-Ettifaq had also started strongly with six points from two matches, having defeated Al Fateh by a narrow margin in their previous game. Al-Nassr, under Postecoglou, had won their two opening league matches, with Ronaldo scoring his first goal of the season against Al Riyadh in the previous game as a substitute. New signings Joao Felix and Angelo were noted as strengthening the side. The match took place at Al Ettifaq Club Stadium in Dammam, with a kick-off time of 11:30 PM IST. In India, the match was broadcast live on the FanCode application and website.
Ronaldo, who is chasing the milestone of 1000 career goals, will look to add to his tally in the coming fixtures. His reaction to the substitution has generated widespread attention, but the manager's gamble ultimately paid off with a dramatic victory.