Cristiano Ronaldo takes a free kick during Al-Nassr match against Al-Taawoun.

RIYADH, Jan 27: Al-Nassr claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Al-Taawoun in Round 18 of the Saudi Roshn League. The only goal came from an own goal by Al-Taawoun defender Mohammed Al-Dosari in the 45th minute, who inadvertently headed a cross from Senegalese forward Sadio Mane past his own goalkeeper, Mailson.

The win marked Al-Nassr’s third consecutive victory, moving it to 40 points and securing second place, ahead of Al-Ahli on goal difference. Al-Taawoun remains in fifth place with 35 points.

In another match, Al-Ittihad returned to winning form by defeating Al-Akhdoud 2-1. Algerian midfielder Houssam Aouar opened the scoring in the 12th minute, followed by a goal from French midfielder N’Golo Kanté in the 43rd minute. Turkish forward Burak İnce scored Al-Akhdoud’s lone goal in the 59th minute.

The win lifts Al-Ittihad to sixth place with 30 points, while Al-Akhdoud stays second-last in 17th place with 9 points.