Laporte's Red Card Drama In Al-Nassr's Late Draw Against Al-Riyadh

Former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte was sent off for punching Mohammed Al-Aqel on the arm as Al-Nassr played out a 2-2 draw with Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League. Meshari Al-Nemer's 97th-minute strike salvaged a point for Al-Nassr, who had trailed for over half the game and played with a one-man disadvantage for over half an hour.

Otavio had put Al-Nassr ahead only for Andre Gray to drag the hosts level. Al-Aqel then gave David Ospina no chance with a terrific overhead kick to make it 2-1. Al-Nassr's position was put in further jeopardy when Laporte was sent off following a bizarre off-the-ball incident which saw him grab and punch Al-Aqel on the elbow.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a glaring opportunity from Sadio Mane's pass across the six-yard box. Al-Nemer levelled at the death for Al-Nassr, though they still sit some 14 points adrift of champions Al-Hilal, who could complete an unbeaten season against Al-Wehda on Monday.

Full time, @AlNassrFC 2:2 #AlRiyadh pic.twitter.com/5L97347XxM

— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) May 23, 2024

It was a game to forget for Laporte, whose bizarre punch on Al-Aqel put Al-Nassr up against it versus a team still in danger of relegation. Laporte did not attempt a single tackle in the game while his four duels contested were the joint-fewest of every outfield starter (alongside Khalid Al-Shuwayyi).

He was also sent off in Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League quarter-final tie against Al Ain in March.