Cristiano Ronaldo is left frustrated as Al-Nassr throw away two-goal lead in Saudi Pro League, while Franck Kessie scores stunner to ensure Al-Ahli beat Al-Ittihad in Jeddah derby

• Ronaldo played 90 minutes but failed to score as Al-Nassr threw away their lead
• Kessie netted agaisnt an Al-Ittihad team featuring Fabinho and Karim Benzema
• Aymeric Laporte, N’Golo Kante and Sadio Mane were also among those in action 

Franck Kessie scored a fine goal to ensure Al-Ahli beat Al-Ittihad 1-0 in the Jeddah derby on Friday in the Saudi Pro League.

The former Barcelona star scored a left-footed volley from inside the box in the first half to give his side the win and blow the top of the league table wide open, with Al-Ittihad missing out on the chance to go top.

Karim Benzema returned to a starting line-up for Al-Ittihad that also included Fabinho and N’Golo Kante while the winning side included Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez.

The narrow victory means Al-Ahli keep tabs on the leaders at the top of the table, with Al-Taawoun currently topping the pile in the division.

Al-Ittihad are fourth, three points off top, following Friday night’s two games.

Cristiano Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure as Al-Nassr threw away a two-goal lead against Abha

Franck Kessie (right), meanwhile, scored a fine goal as Al-Ahli beat Al-Ittihad 1-0 in the Jeddah derby on Friday

Karim Benzema (centre) was back in action for Al-Ittihad but was unable to prevent his side suffering defeat

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In the other match on the night Cristiano Ronaldo had a quiet game with Al-Nassr throwing away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with lowly Abha.

The former Manchester United forward cut a frustrated look as his side threw away a three points that seemed there for the taking when Otavio and Talisca had put the hosts 2-0 up within half an hour.

But Abha, who moved out of the relegation zone with the point, struck back firstly through a Saad Bguir penalty and then an impressive Karl Toko Ekambi stoppage time strike.

Sultan Al-Ghannam was sent off after the equaliser, with Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte and Alex Telles also all featuring for Al-Nassr. 

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