Al-Nassr boss argues VAR decision to Cancel Cristiano Ronaldo Goal vs Al-Raed ‘incorrect’ 

Cristiano Ronaldo’s side Al-Nassr were held to a 1-1 draw-up against Al-Raed in their Saudi Pro League 2024-25 opening fixture on Thursday evening, at the Al-Awwal Stadium in Riyadh. It was Portugal International, who scored the first goal of the match following a thumping header to provide the hosts with a goal cushion in the 34th minute of the first half. 

In the second half, the visitors levelled the scoreline courtesy of Mohamed Fouzair’s penalty kick. However, the controversial decision that forced Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro to speak was in the 76th minute. When the five-time Ballon d’Or winner netted his second goal of the match, however, after an extended check VAR disallowed the winner calling it offside. 

During the post-match conference, Al-Nassr’s boss called out the VAR’s decision as he stated, “The cancellation of Ronaldo’s goal is incorrect and we have a penalty kick that was not given.” Moreover, Castro also demanded that a clear penalty case was denied to his side after a VAR check, following an evident handball in the box by the Al-Raed player in the injury time. 

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Cristiano Ronaldo reaches another Milestone with the Riyadh-based club 

Ever since joining the Saudi Pro League outfit in 2023, the former Manchester United attacker has been in phenomenal personal form with a goal-scoring spree in Asia. After scoring his first league goal against Al-Raed in his previous outing, Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved the remarkable 50-goal mark in just 48 matches with the Knight of Najd. 

Interestingly, the Al-Nassr’s Portuguese skipper is only eight goals shy of hitting the extraordinary 900th goal mark milestone for both club and country. Up next in the Saudi Pro League, his side will take on Al-Feiha, looking to secure their first victory of the 2024-25 campaign at King Abdullah Sports City, next week on Tuesday.