Al-Nassr 1 Ettifaq 0 LIVE RESULT: Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates debut with 3 points as Talisca scores winner – reaction

Al be back

That's all for now after Cristiano Ronaldo's matchwinning start to his Al Nassr career saw his new club go top of the Saudi Pro League.

Strikepartner Talisca sunk Ettifag as the Brazilian rose imperiously to head the only goal - just like like Ronaldo at his peak.

Skipper Ron produced a few vintage moments but not a single effort on target.

Fans were split on his contribution - and potential at the age of 37 - but many feel the he congratulated every Al Nassr player afterwards suggests he is content to be a team player.

Balloon tribute for Ron team-mate Ospina

Al Nassr fans released balloons in support of their former Arsenal keeper David Opsina during Cristiano Ronaldo's debut.

Ronaldo, 37, played his first competitive game for the Saudi Arabian outfit against Ettifaq on Sunday following his £175million-a-year move to the Middle East.

And his new club won the game 1-0 to ensure they remain top of the table with a game in hand on second place Al-Hilal.

But Ronaldo was not the only ex-Premier League player who was shown some love by the Al Nassr supporters.

Ospina, who was at Arsenal from 2014 and 2019, was celebrated by his own fans after suffering a serious injury.

The 34-year-old, who joined Al Nassr on a free transfer last summer, could be out for up to six months with an elbow problem.

And the Al Nassr fans present for Ronaldo's highly-anticipated debut decided to honour Ospina with a gesture midway through the first half.

They began chanting his name in the 25th minute - referencing his shirt number.

And then they released several balloons with his jersey attached.

Siu you again soon

Al Nassr fans had given Cristiano Ronaldo a hero's welcome before his winning debut by setting off flares and performing a "siu" thunderclap chant.

The legendary 37-year-old joined the Saudi club on a free transfer following his release from Manchester United last November.

United ripped up Ronaldo's contract after he accused the club of betrayal in a sit-down interview with Piers Morgan.

In that chat, he also revealed he does not respect manager Erik ten Hag, making his return post-World Cup impossible.

Ronaldo joined Al Nassr on a £173million-a-year deal after a dismal World Cup campaign.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner scored just one goal and was even dropped to the Portugal subs bench for the knockout stages.

'Ron proves it's about teamwork'

Some fans reckon Ronaldo's low-drama display as skipper show he's left his ego behind in England and comes to Al Nassr to be a team player.

They argued the legend has a new approach for a new chapter in one of the greatest ever footballing careers.

One posted: "Cristiano Ronaldo is always up for challenges.

"I wasn't happy when he chose this League, but I now understand. I know he's going to make the difference and win in the next game. It's about team work & Ronaldo proved that today."

And although many football lovers questioned the standard of the Saudi pro league, one wrote: "Today was my first time watching the league & I'm impressed.

"Is very tight. No top play In Europe can have it easy in that league. Fantastic league."

Focusing on some Nass touches

Naturally Al Nassr were keen to concentrate on Ronaldo's busiest moments after his so-so debut.

But even their four-picture salute following the final whistle was hardly his brightest points.

They missed his silky trick to the byline and blocked shot in the first half.

We're Ron top of the league

Ronaldo looks like he knows there's work to be done as he congratulated Al Nassr team-mates after a 1-0 win over Ettifaq put them TOP of the Saudi Pro League.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner applauded fans but appeared quietly pleased and determined rather than wildly delighted at the victory.

That might please Al Nassr fans keen to see the 37-year-old isn't just in Saudi Arabia for a huge pay-day.

Cristiano's big shake-up

Whatever the verdict on Ronaldo's performance, his attitude and focus seemed spot-on.

Some might see that as a stark contrast to the closing months of his second Manchester United spell.

And he summed up his 'new approach' by going round after the final whistle shaking hands and congratulating every Al Nassr team-mate individually.

His face also suggested it was just the start of a serious job for him - as he prepares for what could be two years in Saudi Arabia.

No efforts on target

Despite a few encouraging touches, Ronaldo never actually had an effort on target - nor directly came close to scoring.

Partly that was through a poor service to him in the box, but at 37 there must be doubts he can be a consistent matchwinner for Al Nassr.

Matchwinner Talisca was a more energetic and persistent threat alongside him.

And it's that link-up that could ultimately make Ron an astute signing.

Ron 'still got them moves'

Fans were split over Ronaldo's winning debut for Al Nassr.

Some hailed his sprinkling of wizardry, but others claimed it was "against awful players".

One greeted his peak dribble as he sent Saeed Al Mowalad to the floor with: "He ended the player's career."

Another said of the incident: "Ronaldo still got them moves."

A simlar view was: "Cristiano Ronaldo still got the flair."

But such comments brought the harsh response of "Farmers League".

Ron should be happy... except for no goal

Ronaldo came close to a goal - but it was Talisca who sneaked in behind him to score the only goal.

But we saw some flashes of vintage Ron - particularly when Al Nassr got on top during two spells in the second half.

Fans roared out his name at the end.

But his victory celebrations were modest - his face a picture of concentration.

Ron's winning start

Al Nassr 1 Ettifaq 0: Cristiano Ronaldo had a promising but goalless debut for Al Nassr.

Strikepartner Talisca headed the 31st minute winner.

Ron the run

Ron ran through for a half chance in the closing seconds - but it was just cleared ahead of him.

Three minutes added on

We've had plenty of players flying in - and those on the receiving end flying around over-dramatically.

And that's one reason why it's a slight surprise there are only three minutes of stoppage time to come, starting with a spree of substitutions from Ettifaq.

On course for tense finish

It's all got a bit untidy, with plenty of play in a congested midfield.

But Al Nassr have just defended two crosses quite desperately, Niakate swinging one teasing left-footer across the box.

Over and outch!

Here's that Ronaldo bicycle kick we mentioned a few minutes ago.

As you can see, it was more a threat to Saeed Al-Mowalad's head than it was to Ettifaq's goal.

But Ron's turned in a promising display overall.

And Al Nassr are pressing the visitors quite well as they continue to lead 1-0.

Can Ron score?

We're into the final 10 minutes now, and Ron's had enough sniffs around the box in this half to suggest he could get a decent scoring opportunity.

Al Nassr appear the stronger, fitter, more powerful side but Ettifaq occasionally conjure some nimble moments in the final third of the pitch.

Bye, Lad! - Ron rolls back the years

Ronaldo's vintage dummy on the left goal-line so bamboozled Al Mowalad that the Ettifaq defender slumped backwards and onto the turf.

Faced with a one-on-one in limited space in the bottom corner of the box, Ron wrong-footed Al Mowalad as he shifted the ball from right foot to left for a fierce cross cleared away from the near post.

Pace dips at last

Finally the pace has ebbed, Al Nassr biding their time, trying to thread a dangerous pass, as they assume control of the possession and territory.

Yet another centre sails over Ronaldo's head.

Ron's bicycle kick mis-fire

Ronaldo leaps into a far-post bicycle kicks - but not only did his boot narrowly miss the ball, it appeared to clip the head of Ettifaq's Saeed Al Mowalad.

Ron shook his head with a half-smile, saying there had been no foul.

And play continued.

Ettifaq pressing

Ronaldo's again on the ball down the left - touching it inside safely and simply.

But Ettifaq have more than just taken the sting out of Al Nassr's early second-half surge.

They've threatened a couple of times themselves.

And the loss of the talented Martinez has possibly affected Al Nassr's rhythm.

Menacing Martinez off injured

Ron's fellow dangerman Pity Martinez limped off after 66 mionutes.

Sami & Ayman came on for the Argentinian and Ghareeb.

And almost immediately Ettifaq produced their first dangerous period of the second half.

Niakate swung a far-post half-volley well high - giving Al Nassr the chance to settle down again.

Not left out

Ronaldo's back mainly on the left now, but he's got the freedom amid Al Nassr's finest spell so far to drift to the right too - if he wants.

The home side are opening up the flanks once they push forward.

And that's giving Ronaldo more space.

Ron leads purple patch

Ronaldo's been involved in nearly everything amid a stunning purple patch for Al Nassr.

Best of all, he rolled the ball with his studs out on the right as he prowled forward, threw in a couple of step-overs as he approached the area - then touched the ball back for Talisca to thump a long-range screamer that Paulo Victor tipped behind at full stretch.

Brilliant from Ronaldo

Ron showed he's still got that surge of speed when he needs it - reaching the left goal-line just in time to hook the ball back for Martinez to have a 20-yarder tipped just over.

Vitinho-no

The Portugal striker has appeared on both flanks already in this half - and looking more busy.

But Ettifaq break quickly - and Vitinho is brought down just outside the box.

That means a golden chance for the visitors - 22 yards out to the left of the penalty area 'D'.

But it's Vitinho himself who plants it well high.