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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Al-Nassr beaten 3-1 by Al-Raed</li><li>Ronaldo missed several chances during loss</li><li>Trail leaders Al-Hilal by whopping nine points</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Wasteful Cristiano Ronaldo misses several chances but is left frustrated by Al-Nassr’s leaky defence as they lose more ground in Saudi Pro League title race with woeful loss to Al-Raed

Saudi Pro League

Al Riyadh

Al Nassr FC

Al-Raed

Al Ahli

It was simply not Ronaldo's night. And it wasn't Al-Nassr's, either. The 39-year-old had plenty of opportunities to stamp his authority in the match but it was not meant to be. The Portuguese was not only denied by the woodwork on two occasions but also, quite uncharacteristically, failed to guide his headers into the net, the sort which are usually bread and butter for the striker. But without a shred of doubt, Al-Raed's victory was well deserved on the night.Ronaldo &amp; Co were slow off the blocks and the visitors wasted no time in capitalising on their opponent's lack of initiative. David Ospina in the Nassr goal was a busier custodian in the opening quarter as Julio Tavares and Karim El Berkaoui kept asking questions with their frequent goal attempts. And Al-Raed were eventually rewarded when Tavares set up Berkaoui with a low cross from the left, which the forward slotted home with ease.The Knights of Najd woke up from their slumber after falling behind and it was their Portuguese talisman who was in the thick of things to bring them on level terms. Marcelo Brozovic floated in a hopeful cross for Ronaldo, who volleyed it the first time. However, his thunderous shot bounced back off the woodwork before falling kindly for Ayman Yayha, who tapped in on the rebound. As the first half progressed, Ronaldo continued to get more involved but the final touch seemed elusive.Al-Raed regained their advantage within a minute of resumption in the second half as Al-Nassr's defence was caught napping once again. Amir Sayoud drilled in a low cross which was flicked behind by Tavares for an unmarked Mohamed Fouzair who scored from close range. Although Nassr upped their ante in search of an equaliser a wasteful Ronaldo did not help their cause. And Sayoud's late strike in the 87th minute with the outside of his foot was enough to put the match to bed, and potentially seal Nassr's fate in the league.

TELL ME MORE

Al-Raed were flirting with relegation in 15th before managing to stun the Saudi powerhouse. These three points will definitely give them some breathing space as they move up to the 13th spot. On the other hand, Al-Nassr's title ambitions have been dealt a major blow as they find themselves nine points behind leaders Al-Hilal - who also have a match in hand.

DID YOU KNOW?

El Berkaoui and Tavares were up to the task and they did what Roando and Sadio Mane could not at the other end. Time and again the duo stretched Al-Nassr's brittle defence, and complemented by Sayoud, the two forwards proved too hot to handle. It was Berkaoui's ninth goal of the campaign and the Moroccan striker will be hoping to add to that tally with more than 10 games to go.

THE MVP(S)

Al-Nassr's defence have to face the brunt after another lacklustre performance. They have now conceded 10 goals in their last four matches which speaks volumes about their lack of discipline at the back. Aymeric Laporte and Mohammed Al-Fatil have failed to work in tandem and on Thursday gifted opportunities aplenty to Al-Raed, who made the most to pull off a stunning victory.

THE BIG LOSER

Al-Nassr will have little time to mourn their loss, despite receiving a bodily blow on their title ambitions, as they have an AFC Champions League encounter on Monday against Al-Ain. They are trailing by a goal from the first leg, meaning Ronaldo will need to produce something inspirational to fire his team to the last four of the continental competition.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐⭐⭐

Wasteful Cristiano Ronaldo misses several chances but is left frustrated by Al-Nassr’s leaky defence as they lose more ground in Saudi Pro League title race with woeful loss to Al-Raed | Goal.com

A profligate Cristiano Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure as Al-Nassr&apos;s title ambitions effectively went up in smoke after a woeful 3-1 loss to Al-Raed.

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