Match ReportMirror FootballUnverified source· 26 Aug 2026
Postecoglou benches Ronaldo at half-time as Al-Nassr fight back
Ronaldo's tantrum backfired as his new boss hooked him at half-time, then watched a stunning comeback.
Al-Ettifaq— – —
NS · Pro League
Al-NassrCompetition
Saudi Pro League
Score
Al-Nassr 2-2 Al-Ettifaq (comeback)
Venue
Al-Ettifaq (away)
Key event
Ronaldo subbed off at half-time
What happened. Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted at half-time by new manager Ange Postecoglou after showing frustration, as Al-Nassr trailed 2-0 with 10 men. The team then staged an epic comeback to draw.
- Ronaldo made his first start under Postecoglou.
- Al-Nassr were down to 10 men after Bento's red card.
- Ronaldo was seen shrugging his shoulders in the tunnel.
Postecoglou's decision sends a strong message, with Ronaldo's future role now under scrutiny.
In this story
Cristiano Ronaldo
A. PostecoglouMore to read
Daily Mail Football
Cristiano Ronaldo is hauled off, mid-tantrum, at half-time by no-nonsense Ange Postecoglou - before team turn a 2-0 deficit into 3-2 win without him - in new challenge to his Saudi supremacy
GiveMeSport
Ange Postecoglou Breaks Silence After Cristiano Ronaldo’s Furious Actions
The Guardian
Failure not an option as Ange Postecoglou gears up for biggest challenge yet alongside Ronaldo | John Duerden
