Al-Nassr refused to fall into the trap of an early upset in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, cruising into the round of 16 alongside the competition’s other heavyweights.
The Knights beat Al-Diriyah 4-1 on Tuesday at Al-Awwal Park in a round of 32 clash that swung decisively in Al-Nassr’s favour after a shaky start.
A Fast Start for the Underdogs
Al-Diriyah gave the home crowd an early scare, taking the lead inside two minutes. Oscar Rodriguez pounced on a low cross, turning the ball past Brazilian goalkeeper Bento to put the visitors ahead almost before Al-Nassr had settled.
Felix Inspires the Response
The lead did not last. Al-Nassr hit back with Joao Felix orchestrating much of the damage. The Portuguese forward set up the equaliser in the 11th minute, whipping in a low cross that French defender Mohamed Simakan turned home with a clever backheel finish.
Felix then took matters into his own hands. In the 36th minute, Kingsley Coman burst down the right flank and squared the ball low across the box, and Felix finished coolly past goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to put Al-Nassr in front for the first time.
The floodgates opened barely a minute later. Abdullah Al-Hamdan raced onto a inch-perfect through ball from Sadio Mane, went clean through on goal and slotted past Vasilj to make it 3-1.
Felix completed his brace — and Al-Nassr’s rout — in the 68th minute, meeting a low cross from right-back Nawaf Boushal and drilling it past a helpless Vasilj to seal the 4-1 scoreline.
Into the Last 16
The comfortable win sends Al-Nassr through to the round of 16, joining fellow Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad and Al-Qadsiah in avoiding an early cup exit.
For “Al-Alami,” the result keeps alive their pursuit of a first Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup triumph in 36 years — a trophy they last lifted back in 1990.
Source: LiveScore/GOAL, 18 August 2026
