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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<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><ul><li>Al-Nassr win 1-0 against Damac</li><li>Laporte scores in injury time</li><li>Ronaldo and Mane came off the bench</li></ul>

Aymeric Laporte to the rescue! Ex-Man City star fires Al-Nassr to late win against Damac as Saudi Pro League title hopefuls get a lucky escape after dropping Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane

Saudi Pro League

Al Nassr FC

Al Qadasiya

Damac FC

Al Kholood

Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro decided to bench Cristiano Ronaldo for the clash after the Portuguese forward scored two back-to-back hat-tricks against Abha and Al-Tai. Sadio Mane was also benched for the clash with an eye on the upcoming Saudi Super Cup semi-final against Al-Hilal. Ronaldo's introduction in the second-half kicked the attack into life and a late goal by Aymeric Laporte gave them the three points on the night.

TELL ME MORE

Damac managed the the match wonderfully regardless of Al-Nassr's lack of firepower in the starting lineup. They kept the side down to just one shot on target in 90 minutes. Specifically fullback Dhari El-Enezi and Ramzi Sawlan kept the movement from the flanks under control through the entirety of the game. They were unlucky to lose the game via a well worked corner routine.

THE MVP

Castro decided to enter the game with a real lack of firepower and almost dashed their title hopes against Al-Hilal. However, individual brilliance from Ronaldo kicked the game into life, and Laporte's header gave them the three points.

THE BIG LOSER

Al-Nassr will now face off against Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup on Monday, April 8. A win would see them reach the final against either Al-Ittihad or Al-Wehda.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐

Aymeric Laporte to the rescue! Ex-Man City star fires Al-Nassr to late win against Damac as Saudi Pro League title hopefuls get a lucky escape after dropping Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane | Goal.com

With Al-Nassr looking to catch up with Al-Hilal, they gathered all three points against seventh placed Damac in injury time.