Coman copies Ronaldo as sublime overhead helps reignite Al Nassr title bid

Kingsley Coman has clearly been learning from Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Al Nassr summer signing, himself a player of huge pedigree, morphed into his club captain on Saturday night, when Coman executed a brilliant overhead-kick to set the wounded side up for a must-needed victory at home to Al Shabab.

Coman’s spectacular effort came only eight minutes into the Roshn Saudi League derby at Al Awwal Park but, by then, Al Nassr were already a goal to the good.

Needing a response from Monday’s defeat in the Capital Derby at Al Hilal, a loss that saw Al Nassr slip seven points behind their Riyadh rivals, Jorge Jesus’ men initially provided it - and then some.

On two minutes, their pressure paid off as a low cross towards Cristiano Ronaldo was intercepted by Al Shabab defender Saad Belobaid, who inadvertently directed the ball into his own net.

Soon after, Al Nassr had their second. And what a second it was.

Less than two months after Ronaldo offered his Goal of the Season contender, Coman copied to leap into that conversation, too. Nawaf Boushal and Angelo combined down Al Nassr’s left, Wesley chested the cross into Coman’s path, and the August recruit from Bayern Munich did the rest.

Rising high to meet the ball, the France international arched his body to send an acrobatic overhead-kick fly past Marcelo Grohe in the Al Shabab net. Al Nassr, winless in four in the RSL and with three defeats on the bounce, appeared geared to cruise to victory.

However, the opposite occurred. Al Shabab, who last time out snapped a 11-match streak without a win, fought back.

Just after the half hour, exciting Saudi Arabian winger Hammam Al Hammami got past Boushal and delivered a low cross into the hosts’ penalty area, only for Al Nassr centre-back Mohamed Simakan to divert into his own net.

Then, eight minutes into the second half, Al Shabab were level. Making the most of the space opening up, Carlos Junior broke through on goal and slotted past Brazilian compatriot Bento.

Yet, Imanol Alguacil’s quest for a second successive result was hampered on 67 minutes, when midfielder Vincent Sierro was sent. Nine minutes later, Al Nassr had their winner.

Again, Angelo was involved, the Brazilian winger crossing low into the Al Shabab penalty area and, after Coman’s effort was saved by Grohe, substitute Abdulrahman Ghareeb was in the right place to send home the rebound.

Al Nassr held on, a hugely important and morale-restoring triumph sealed. With it, the second-placed side reduced the gap at the top to four points, although Al Hilal can extend once more when they take on NEOM Sports Club in Tabuk on Sunday night.