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Goa: Saudi Arabian giants Al-Nassr registered a 2-1 win over FC Goa in their third AFC Champions League Two encounter on Wednesday, maintaining their unbeaten run in the competition despite missing key stars including Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo Brozovic.
The visitors fielded a second-string lineup under Jorge Jesus, who opted to rest several first-choice players with an eye on upcoming Saudi Pro League fixtures. Big names such as Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, and Kingsley Coman started on the bench, while Ronaldo did not travel with the squad at all.
Gabriel and Camara strike early for Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr asserted dominance from the opening whistle, controlling possession and creating multiple chances against an inexperienced FC Goa side. The breakthrough came within ten minutes when Angelo Gabriel, the former Chelsea winger, cut in from the left flank and unleashed a superb right-footed shot from the edge of the box that found the top corner.
The early strike set the tone for the visitors, who continued to dictate the tempo. In the 27th minute, Haroune Camara doubled Al-Nassr’s lead with an outstanding solo effort. The Saudi striker showed strength and composure inside the box, holding off multiple defenders before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Goa fight back through Fernandes
Despite being outplayed for most of the first half, FC Goa found a lifeline through substitute Brison Fernandes, who replaced an injured teammate early in the game. His introduction proved crucial as he made an immediate impact just before half-time.
Fernandes latched onto a through ball, showed remarkable control to sidestep a defender inside the box, and coolly finished past Bento to bring the scoreline to 2-1, giving the home fans renewed hope.
Second-half struggle in Goan heat
The second half saw a dip in Al-Nassr’s tempo as the humid conditions began to take a toll on the Saudi players. Coach Jorge Jesus responded by introducing fresh legs, bringing on Sadio Mane and Joao Felix around the 60th minute to stabilize the game.
FC Goa, encouraged by their goal before the break, pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Their golden opportunity came in the 66th minute, when full-back Boris Singh broke free and went one-on-one with the Al-Nassr goalkeeper. However, Singh hesitated and struck a tame effort that Bento comfortably saved, squandering the home side’s best chance of the night.
Al-Nassr hold firm to secure the win
After surviving the scare, Al-Nassr tightened their defense and managed the remainder of the game with composure. The Saudi club’s experienced substitutes ensured control in midfield as the visitors saw out the remaining minutes without major trouble, clinching another valuable three points in their continental campaign.
MVP: Angelo Gabriel
In Ronaldo’s absence, Angelo Gabriel stepped up brilliantly, spearheading the attack and providing the early spark that set Al-Nassr on course for victory. The 21-year-old winger, who joined from Chelsea, impressed with his creativity, pace, and precision — earning the Player of the Match award for his decisive performance.
Big Loser: Boris Singh
For FC Goa, right-back Boris Singh will rue his missed opportunity that could have salvaged a dramatic draw. His failure to convert a one-on-one chance against Bento proved costly as Goa fell short despite showing fight in the second half.
What’s next?
With this result, Al-Nassr strengthen their position in Group B of the AFC Champions League Two and move closer to securing qualification for the knockout rounds. They now turn their focus back to domestic duties in the Saudi Pro League, where Cristiano Ronaldo and other key players are expected to return.
FC Goa, meanwhile, will look to regroup and focus on their upcoming Indian Super League fixtures while hoping to make a stronger impression in their remaining continental games.
