Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible backheel pass helps Otavio score in Al Nassr’s 2-2 draw against Abha – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr faced an unexpected roadblock in their quest to secure their seventh consecutive victory, narrowly missing the opportunity to climb within a point of the Saudi Pro League summit. The culprit? Karl Toko Ekambi.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Cameroon international delivered a heart-wrenching blow to Cristiano Ronaldo’s squad with a breathtaking equalizer in the 92nd minute, leaving the hosts stunned and sharing the points. Al Nassr was left ruing their missed chances during the match, which could have solidified their grasp on victory over the course of 90 minutes.
Despite his struggles in front of the net, Cristiano Ronaldo played a pivotal role in the game. While his six-game scoring streak came to an end, he managed to ignite Otavio’s opening goal just three minutes into the match with a sensational back-heel pass.

However, Ronaldo’s inability to capitalize on several other scoring opportunities proved to be costly for his side.
Sadio Mane showcased his brilliance on the pitch, persistently troubling the Abha defensive line from the left flank throughout the match. Despite Al Nassr’s dominance, particularly in the first half and sporadically during the second, their failure to convert their numerous attacking chances left Abha with a glimmer of hope as the clock ticked down to the final minutes.
Abha, led by the menacing presence of Karl Toko Ekambi, also squandered a few promising opportunities, and Saad Bguir’s successful penalty attempt just before halftime further complicated matters for Al Nassr. Frustrations continued to mount for Al Nassr as they struggled to find the target in the second half. In the end, it was Karl Toko Ekambi who emerged as the hero, striking two minutes into stoppage time to level the score and secure a vital point for Abha.