Al-Nassr make winning start under Ange Postecoglou with 3-0 victory over Al-Fateh

RIYADH: Al-Nassr fans may have felt a sense of deja vu when the starting lineup was announced for their first 2026/27 Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Fateh.

With Samu Costa on the bench, the starting XI was a carbon copy of last season’s best eleven, with Cristiano Ronaldo the only absentee after recently marrying Georgina Rodriguez. The couple were nevertheless in the VIP box cheering on the team.

The lack of new names in the lineup proved no cause for concern as Al-Nassr cruised to a 3-0 victory in front of a raucous crowd at Al-Awwal Park.

Joao Felix — who received the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League Player of the Season award before kickoff — shone brightest, while Angelo also produced a stellar performance in Ange Postecoglou’s first competitive game in charge.

Aside from a few threatening runs from Al-Fateh winger Mourad Batna, Al-Nassr were comfortable for most of the game.

A reckless tackle on Saad Al-Nasser by Faisal Al-Abdulwahed in the opening minutes proved costly, with the left-back forced off for Salem Al-Najdi in the 18th minute.

Al-Najdi’s introduction proved telling. In the 37th minute, he spotted Angelo drifting wide as the Al-Fateh defense shifted toward the right flank. His pinpoint cross found the Brazilian, who finished past Waleed Al-Enazi at the near post.

Angelo had been denied earlier by Al-Enazi, who could consider himself unfortunate to have conceded three goals after producing six saves.

Two of those came in quick succession in the 15th minute, with the goalkeeper palming away a powerful Joao Felix shot before stopping Angelo’s rebound.

After breaking the deadlock, there was no stopping Al-Nassr. Just three minutes later, Joao Felix received the ball on the left flank, danced past