Ten-Man Al-Nassr Rally From Two Goals Down to Beat Al-Ettifaq

Al-Nassr overcame a first-half red card and a 2-0 halftime deficit to defeat Al-Ettifaq in a dramatic Saudi Pro League comeback on Tuesday. BBC Sport reported that Sadio Mane scored the decisive goal in added time after Ange Postecoglou's side had drawn level late in the second half.

Watch the highlights:

The defending champions were reduced to 10 players after goalkeeper Bento was sent off in the 12th minute. Al-Ettifaq then established a two-goal advantage before the break, leaving Al-Nassr facing both a numerical disadvantage and a substantial deficit after a difficult opening period.

Cristiano Ronaldo started for Al-Nassr for the first time since the World Cup, according to the BBC. The 41-year-old left the field frustrated at halftime and was substituted by Postecoglou. The report said Ronaldo made a questioning gesture toward the bench when the change was made.

Al-Nassr's response arrived in a rapid late burst. Mane and Abdulelah Al Amri scored within three minutes of each other to make it 2-2 with 13 minutes remaining. The visitors then completed the turnaround in stoppage time, when Mane struck again for his second goal of the match and the winner.

Postecoglou said his halftime substitutions, including the decision to remove Ronaldo, were made because he believed the incoming players could influence the contest. He also said Al-Nassr opted for a different tactical approach after the break and praised the contribution made by every substitute. The coach noted that Ronaldo had not played for a long period while describing his first-half performance positively.

The result took Al-Nassr to the top of the Saudi Pro League table after winning each of their first three league games of the season. It also extended a perfect opening under Postecoglou, who took charge last month after his brief spell at Nottingham Forest ended in October. For Al-Nassr, the victory combined resilience with an immediate competitive reward: three points secured despite playing most of the match with 10 men.