Negredo nets hat-trick in Al Nasr win over Al Wasl

Dubai: Al Nasr pulled off a dramatic 4-2 comeback win over 10-man Al Wasl at Al Maktoum Stadium in the opening game of matchweek 19 of the Arabian Gulf League on Wednesday.

Al Wasl found themselves 1-0 up only seven minutes into the game.

After consulting the VAR, the referee awarded the guests a penalty and Caio Canedo converted from the spot into the left corner of the net to give his side an early lead. This marked the 10th league goal for the Brazilian forward this season.

The Blues wasted a golden chance to level the scoreline when they were awarded a penalty seven minutes later. Alvaro Negredo’s effort was saved by the Al Wasl keeper Humaid Abdulla as the guests kept their 1-0 advantage.

With five minutes remaining in the first half, Negredo missed another chance to net the equalizer as his header sailed just high of the goal frame.

Just before halftime, the Spanish forward was denied once again by Abdulla. The forward tried to round the keeper, but the latter pulled off a good save as Al Wasl headed into the break with a 1-0 lead.

The second half got off to a dramatic start as Al Wasl were dealt a huge blow only six minutes after the restart. After consulting the VAR, the referee adjudged to send off Salem Al Azizi for a last-man foul, forcing Al Wasl to continue the game with 10 men.

Only one minute after the red card, Al Nasr levelled the scoreline through Negredo. Tariq Ahmed’s free-kick was initially saved by Abdulla, but Negredo latched onto the rebound and sent the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

Al Wasl didn’t give up and quickly regained their lead on the one-hour mark, despite the numerical disadvantage. Capitalizing on a defensive mistake from Joan Oumari, Caio bulldozed his way into the box and went one-on-one with the keeper before slotting home to give his side a 2-1 advantage.

The Al Wasl lead didn’t last long as the Blues levelled the scoreline again in the 77th minute. After Junior Dutra’s initial strike hit the woodwork, the rebound fell to Negredo who converted with a first-time strike.

The drama intensified in the 83rd minute when Al Nasr took the lead for the first time in the game. Following a good teamwork play, Jassim Yaqoub found Negredo’s pass inside the box and curled the ball past Abdulla to give his side a 3-2 lead.

The Blues put the win beyond any doubt and sealed the three points after netting a fourth goal during injury time. Following a corner kick, Mubarak Saeed headed the ball towards Negredo inside the box and the latter slotted home to complete his hat-trick.

Al Nasr reached the 20-point mark and remained in 11th place, three points behind Al Wasl who remained in seventh place.