Al-Nassr maintained their relentless Saudi Pro League momentum with a composed 2-0 victory over Al-Ittihad, recording a sixth straight league win and tightening the pressure on leaders Al-Hilal.

Once again, it was Sadio Mané who rose to the occasion in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, with the 41-year-old superstar missing a second consecutive match amid growing uncertainty surrounding his future at the club.

The Senegalese forward broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 84th minute before Angelo sealed the win deep into stoppage time, a result that moved Al-Nassr to within one point of the league summit.

Al-Nassr signalled their intent early when Mané’s deflected effort forced Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic into a sharp save, although the hosts were briefly spared when a VAR review ruled out a potential handball against Mohamed Simakan inside the box.

The pressure continued as João Félix tested Rajkovic from distance, while Mané squandered another opening by firing over the bar from Kingsley Coman’s inviting cutback, with Al-Nassr firmly in control at Al-Awwal Park.

Just as Al-Ittihad appeared set to escape with a hard-earned point, the game swung decisively. Mohammed Barnawi was penalised for handball while attempting to block Aiman Yahya’s shot, handing Al-Nassr a late lifeline.

Mané showed nerves of steel from 12 yards, calmly sending Rajkovic the wrong way to finally break the resistance with six minutes remaining.

From there, Jorge Jesus’ side cruised to the finish, with Al-Ittihad failing to register a single attempt after conceding the penalty.

The night was capped in dramatic fashion when Angelo sprinted from his own half on a swift counterattack in the 96th minute, finishing coolly through the goalkeeper’s legs to underline Al-Nassr’s dominance.

With Ronaldo sidelined, Mané’s leadership and decisive contributions continue to prove vital as Al-Nassr keep their title ambitions firmly on track.