Sadio Mane Grabs a Brace and Misses a Penalty in Al Nassr’s 3-1 Comeback Win Against Al Fayha
Al Nassr stepped up without their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to beat Al-Fayha 3-1 at home on Friday. Sadio Mane played the starring role with a brace and missed from the spot in a come-from-behind win in the Saudi Pro League.
The visitors led early in the 6th minute through a Fashion Sakala strike. The shock lead threatened to mar Al Nassr’s performance, as they were playing without Cristiano Ronaldo and looked tentative and shaken early on.
Al Nassr had a golden opportunity to level the scoreline right before halftime when Sadio Mane had the chance to convert from the spot. However, the Senegalese forward skied his effort to the frustration of the expectant home crowd. With the first half ending with Al Nassr trailing, the second half was finely poised for the home side as they chased the game.
Although they upped the tempo in the second half, they could not find a way through the Al Fayha defense, who defended doggedly and frustrated the home side. However, persistence paid off in the 72nd minute when Al Nassr’s Abdulelah Al-Amri found the breakthrough to level the scores after he rose highest to head home a corner and handed the home side the platform to fight for a come-from-behind win.
Sadio Mane more than made up for the missed penalty when he grabbed a six-minute brace to put the game beyond Al Fayha’s reach. First, in the 76th minute, Mane expertly controlled the ball with his chest in the area and unleashed a volley in one movement to give the home side the lead.
The Senegalese completed his brace in the 82nd minute. He collected a direct pass from the back on the left side of the pitch, dribbled past three Al Fayha players, and unleashed a ferocious low shot past the goalkeeper.
The win means Al Nassr continues their winning run in the SPL. They comfortably sit second on the league table, nine points behind leaders Al-Hilal.
Al Nassr will play next Saturday away to Al-Khaleej, whereas Al Fayha will play at home to Al-Tai in the Saudi Pro League next Thursday.
