Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr were knocked out of the King Cup of Champions at the last-16 stage, following a 1-0 defeat at home to Al-Taawoun.
Waleed Al-Ahmed got the winning goal for the visitors after 71 minutes, but Al-Nassr spurned a brilliant opportunity to draw level right at the end of the match when they were awarded a penalty.
But Ronaldo blasted the 96th-minute spot kick over the bar to hand victory to their opponents.
Both teams spent the first half struggling to create anything of note in an attacking sense, which did little to create a good spectacle.
Al-Taawoun looked more dangerous on the counter-attack, with the hosts indebted to a last-ditch tackle by Mohamad Simakan to snuff out a breakaway at the end of the first 45 minutes.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with a set-piece goal required to open the scoring as Al-Ahmed headed in from a corner.
Al-Nassr were given a lifeline to keep their hopes alive with time running out, but Ronaldo was unable to convert the penalty.
Data Debrief: Al-Nassr fall the wrong side of tight margins
The result means it is now back-to-back matches in which Al-Nassr have failed to win, which is their first such run since August.
The match itself was a tight one, with Al-Nassr having five shots on target compared to Al-Taawoun's four.
In terms of actual chances, Al-Nassr had opportunities equalling 1.56 xG, although it is worth remembering 0.75 of that came from their penalty. Al-Taawoun, meanwhile, generated an xG of 0.59.
Motta: Errors at both ends of the pitch cost Juventus against Parma
Juventus head coach Thiago Motta was critical of his team for making too many mistakes at both ends of the pitch in their 2-2 draw with Parma on Wednesday.
The draw saw them drop to fourth in the Serie A table, with the gap to leaders Napoli now seven points. It was also the second straight game in which they had to come from behind to avoid defeat.
But while the 4-4 draw with Inter on Sunday was seen as a point gained, this was two dropped according to Motta.
"I think today we conceded too many restarts. At their goal kicks, we were trying to bring the defender out to then be able to press and cause an error, but we didn't succeed," he told DAZN after the match.
"In the defensive phase we made a lot of mistakes."
Forward Dusan Vlahovic missed a brilliant chance inside the six-yard box, but failed to convert. Motta was unwilling to dig out his striker, but did suggest his entire team have to be better at converting chances after having 16 efforts on goal.
"We have to have balance and control of the game. Today we did well until the last two metres, but in the end we have to do better," he said.
"We created danger on the counter and we have to continue like this.
"But we have to improve in bringing our team into the opponent's half, in finishing and not letting the opposition restart."
Timothy Weah supplied an assist and a goal to twice get Juventus back level in this match, but was later replaced by Inter hero Kenan Yildiz, who had scored twice to level at the weekend. The Turkey international almost scored a winner in added time and Motta was pleased with the output of both.
"Weah played well at San Siro and again today, scoring," Motta told Sky Sports.
"Kenan coming on later, with the game more open, is an ideal player to create situations. He has freedom in the final metres, it was normal today to want to open things up against such a closed team."
Guardiola suffering without De Bruyne ahead of Bournemouth visit
Pep Guardiola conceded Kevin De Bruyne will not feature before the November international break as Manchester City prepare to visit Bournemouth on Saturday.
De Bruyne has not played since mid-September when he was removed against Inter in the Champions League, with a thigh issue his latest injury setback.
The Belgium captain also spent a four-month spell on the sidelines last campaign, and Guardiola revealed bad news on De Bruyne's recovery before Wednesday's disappointing 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in the EFL Cup fourth round.
"I would like to tell you [when he can return], I especially would like to know, but I don't know," said Guardiola.
"He feels better to train, but to go to the level we need for competition he still has pain. Kevin has to feel good to express the huge talent that he has.
"If he doesn't come back as quickly as possible, we will struggle because we cannot sustain it with 14 or 15 players, but it is what it is.
"We need players to come back but it is what it is. Hopefully that can happen after the international break."
City sit a point clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table after their narrow 1-0 win over Southampton, while Bournemouth are 11th after their last-gasp leveller for a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola will be expecting a tough test at the Vitality Stadium, though suggested no one can match Villa's left-hand side – not even City.
"I made one sub in the first half for the first time in my career but I have to assume the responsibility because I put Julian [Araujo] in the most difficult game for a right-back that you can find in the Premier League," Iraola said.
"Everyone knows what they’re going to do, but it’s very difficult to defend. The timing and the way they turn the players in the middle, we need to be better in the decision making [going forward]."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo has been involved in more Premier League shots following a ball carry than any other player this term (20 – 12 shots, eight chances created).
The Bournemouth midfielder also has three goals and an assist to his name this season in the competition, a tally he will hope to add to on Saturday.
Manchester City – Phil Foden
Talisman Erling Haaland only has one goal in four league matches against Bournemouth, so Phil Foden may be expected to step up here.
Foden has scored in each of his last five appearances against Bournemouth in all competitions (five goals), also providing three assists in these games.
MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER CITY WIN
Guardiola's side are the heavy favourites for this clash, considering they have won all 14 of their Premier League games against Bournemouth.
City have outscored the Cherries 45-7 across their winning run, which is the best 100% record any team has against another in English top-flight history.
Overall, Bournemouth have won none of their 20 league games against Man City (D2 L18), too – it is the most one side has faced another without ever winning in English Football League history.
The Cherries have also lost all 11 of their Premier League games against sides starting the day top of the table, the worst 100% such loss rate in the competition’s history.
Given City are unbeaten in 28 Premier League games in 2024 as well, a feat bettered by only two sides in England's top-flight history, it is hard to imagine anything other than an away win here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Bournemouth win – 19.8%
Draw – 22.2%
Manchester City win – 57.9%
Arteta ignores Mourinho comparison ahead of Newcastle test
Mikel Arteta wants to keep Arsenal in the hunt for the Premier League title when they visit Newcastle United on Saturday, opting to ignore comparisons with Jose Mourinho.
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher likened Arsenal's manager to Mourinho, suggesting the Gunners "don't play great football".
That verdict came after Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool before Arsenal eased to a 3-0 win against Preston North End in the EFL Cup fourth round on Wednesday.
Arteta refused to be drawn on the comparison, however, insisting his focus was solely on repaying the faith of Arsenal's board and supporters with victory away to Newcastle.
"I don’t talk about myself. I leave him to give his opinion," Arteta started, referring to Carragher's punditry comments.
"Nobody is un-sackable. When this happens you have earned something and you have it in the bank somehow, but we are here to win football matches – never forget that."
Pressed on his five-year tenure at Arsenal, Arteta reiterated the same message, adding: "Very unusual. Unfortunately, it is very unusual.
"I will carry on with my job in the best possible way and football matches are the most important thing and you have to win many of them to keep your job."
Hosts Newcastle are winless in five league outings, slipping down to 12th in the table, and boss Eddie Howe warned no player is guaranteed selection before Wednesday's 2-0 against Chelsea in the same cup competition.
"No one is undroppable," he said, referring to Bruno Guimaraes.
"I think you make a valid point on Bruno’s minutes, his travelling, he’s done a lot, he’s always been there for us so we need to make sure we manage him well and manage the other players who have had a lot of minutes well."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Newcastle United – Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak averages a goal every 133 minutes in the Premier League for Newcastle – only Andrew Cole (one every 121 minutes) has a better average for the Magpies in the competition.
The Sweden striker has also scored 11 goals in his last 11 league appearances at St James’ Park, where he will hope to continue that run of form on Saturday.
Arsenal – Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka has created more chances than any other Premier League player this season (27), while he has either scored or assisted in 10 of his last 12 league games – including seven of eight matches this campaign.
His three goals and seven assists in 2024-25 also make him one of just four players to achieve double figures for goal involvements in the Premier League.
MATCH PREDICTION – ARSENAL WIN
Arsenal may be winless in their last two league games but they will be the favourites against Howe's struggling side.
Newcastle have not tasted victory in their last five league outings, their longest winless streak since a six-match run across August and September 2022.
Arsenal may have been beaten in their last trip to Bournemouth, too, but they have not suffered back-to-back away defeats in the league since May 2022.
The second of those defeats did come at Newcastle, however, where the Magpies have won two of their last three home Premier League games against Arsenal.
That is as many wins as Newcastle managed across 19 previous home league fixtures with Arsenal, who lost this exact fixture 1-0 last season thanks to Anthony Gordon's controversial winner.
Fortunately for Arteta, Arsenal have not suffered defeat in consecutive away league games against Newcastle since their first three such visits in the Premier League between 1994 and 1996.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Newcastle United win – 27.1%
Draw – 25.1%
Arsenal win – 47.8%
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