RIYADH: Al-Nassr kept their Saudi Pro League title hopes alive with a dramatic 2-0 victory over Al-Ittihad on Matchday 21, sealing the win with goals in the final minutes at Al-Awwal Park.

Playing against the backdrop of transfer-window controversy and without Cristiano Ronaldo for a second straight match, Al-Nassr dominated long spells before finally breaking their opponents’ resistance late on.

The hosts began brightly, creating an early three-on-two counter-attack, though Sadio Mane was unable to pick out Angelo as Al-Ittihad recovered defensively.

Al-Nassr’s back three allowed Mohamed Simakan license to push forward, and in the sixth minute he won possession high up the pitch before setting up Mane, whose effort deflected harmlessly into Predrag Rajkovic’s hands.

Ronaldo chants echoed around the stadium as fans showed support for their captain, who was absent amid reports of discontent following Al-Nassr’s subdued transfer window.

Al-Ittihad threatened briefly when Moussa Diaby crossed for debutant Youssef En-Nesyri, only for Simakan to intervene. A lengthy VAR review followed after the ball appeared to brush Simakan’s hand, but appeals for a penalty were waved away.

Al-Nassr controlled much of the first half, using quick combinations out wide to bypass Al-Ittihad’s defense, though clear chances were limited. The visitors’ best opening fell to Houssem Aouar, who headed wide, while Bento denied Diaby with a smart save from distance.

Marcelo Brozovic came close at the other end with a deflected strike that forced Rajkovic into an impressive reaction save, before the teams went into the break level.

The tempo remained high after the restart, with Joao Felix and Mane continuing to threaten on the counter.

Al-Nassr’s clearest chance arrived in the 68th minute when Brozovic delivered a dipping cross to the far post, but Felix could not apply a decisive touch.

The breakthrough finally came in the 84th minute. Substitute Aiman Yahya’s shot was blocked by Mohammad Ali Barnawi’s elbow, and after a brief pause the referee pointed to the spot. Mane converted the penalty, sending Rajkovic the wrong way.

Al-Nassr sealed the result deep into stoppage time with a swift counter-attack, Angelo finishing coolly by slipping the ball through Rajkovic’s legs.

The win keeps Al-Nassr second in the standings, just one point behind leaders Al-Hilal, who won earlier in the weekend as Karim Benzema netted his debut hat-trick.

Elsewhere, NEOM edged Al-Riyadh 1-0 thanks to Alexandre Lacazette, while Al-Ettifaq beat Damac 2-0 with goals from Georginio Wijnaldum and Mukhtar Ali. The results saw Al-Ettifaq leapfrog Al-Ittihad into sixth, with NEOM remaining eighth, six points behind Al-Ittihad.

Matchday 21 continues on Saturday, with Al-Kholood hosting Al-Shabab, Al-Taawoun facing Al-Khaleej, and Al-Qadsiah traveling to Al-Hasa to take on Al-Fateh.