Al Nassr vs Inter Miami ends in 6-0 demolition by hosts as Aymeric Laporte scores sensational goal
Al Nassr vs Inter Miami: An Overview
Saudi Pro League (SPL) side Al Nassr faced Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami in the Riyadh Seasons Cup during the offseason for both leagues.
The hosts entered this game on the back of a decent run of form. They won seven of their last 10 games, drawing two and losing just once. They have been in great goalscoring form, netting 21 times in just their last five, showing their cohesion as a team. Their last SPL game before the break saw them steamroll past fourth placed Al-Taawoun 4-1. With their official season set to resume in a fortnight, Al Nassr were looking to put their best foot forward.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami’s form heading into this game was completely opposite of their opponents’. Prior to this game, they were winless in their last 10 across competitions, falling to seven defeats and securing three draws. Additionally, they scored just four goals in their last five, of which three came in their 4-3 defeat against SPL leaders Al Hilal in their last game. Manager Tata Martino knew a lot of work needed to be put in before the MLS season begins in a couple of weeks. Miami were heavy underdogs heading into this game.
Al Nassr vs Inter Miami: Match Report
Al Nassr smashed Inter Miami 6-0 in their Riyadh Season Cup game on Wednesday, February 1. The hosts were without Cristiano Ronaldo, while the visitors did not play Lionel Messi too much, both struggling with injuries.
The Saudi side made an electrifying start to the game as they raced into a three-goal lead after just 12 minutes. Otavio gave them the lead in the third minute following an assist by Marcelo Brozovic, who was gifted possession by Inter Miami’s failed efforts to play out from the back. Just seven minutes later, Miami made the same error and were punished again as Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa provided an assist for Anderson Talisca at the far post to make it 2-0.
Aymeric Laporte then score a sensational, opportunistic goal from his own half. Seeing opposition goalkeeper Drake Callender off his line, the Spaniard attempted a shot from well beyond the halfway line from a free-kick. The ball sailed perfectly over the ‘keeper’s head and went into the back of the net, drawing stunned reactions from everyone including teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Talisca then made it a brace to make it 4-0 as Al Nassr were awarded a spot kick just five minutes after the restart. Mohammed Khalil Marran scored their fifth in the 68th minute, followed by which Talisca completed his hat-trick five minute later from an assist by Alex Telles.
Despite having Luis Suarez in their ranks, and Lionel Messi making a short cameo, Inter Miami were unable to get even a consolation goal. They had just three shots on target as their goalscoring woes intensify with the new season around the corner. For Al Nassr, however, these are encouraging signs as Luis Castro’s men will look to close the seven-point gap to Al Hilal.
This match was very one-sided with one team outperforming the other in all aspects. That said, let’s take a look at the top performers.
Al Nassr vs Inter Miami: Top Performers
Anderson Talisca (9.5/10)
Talisca had a near-perfect game and put in a well-rounded performance to score his three goals. He passed the ball with 89% accuracy, including two key passes and seven long balls. He completed all four of his dribbles and won eight duels, making one tackle in the process.
The Brazilian marksman attempted four shots on target and scored from three of those. Such was his jubilation having grabbed a hat-trick that he broke out Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous ‘Siuu’ celebration to mark the occasion.
Otavio (8.5/10)
Otavio had a good game as he opened the scoring for Al Nassr in just the third minute with a well-taken strike high into the goal. He passed the ball with 88% accuracy, including five key passes, two long balls and one cross. He created two big chances for his teammates but unfortunately neither were converted.
Otavio completed one dribble and won six duels, making two interceptions, one tackle and one clearance. He attempted just one shot and scored with it.
Aymeric Laporte (8/10)
Laporte had a solid game at the back and was composed in defence. He won all four of his duels, making four clearances, two blocks, one interception and one tackle. He also completed 45 passes with perfect accuracy, including two long balls.
The Spaniard attempted just one shot as well, long way back from his own half to bamboozle Drake Callender in Inter Miami’s net. It was a great display of presence of mind to score one of the greatest goals the game has seen.
Al Nassr vs Inter Miami: Match Point
Hosts Al Nassr were slight favourites in terms of odds before the game. But things soon changed as Inter Miami’s tactical approach played into their hands.
Playing out of the back when done right is a great tactic to bait the press and make attacking easy. The hosts’ first two goals were both caused by yellow shirts hounding pink shirts into a tight space. That forced mistakes, allowing them to score easy goals with numerical advantages in the box.
Once Laporte’s shot hit the back of the net, Inter Miami had absolutely no chance to psychologically come back from that sort of rout within minutes.
ALSO READ: Al Nassr vs Inter Miami Player Ratings- Talisca hits hattrick, Suarez disappoints and Messi subs on.