Cristiano Ronaldo scored one of the goals of the season to inspire Al Nassr to victory against Al Riyadh and maintain his side’s Roshn Saudi League title challenge.
The Portuguese superstar netted twice in Al Nassr’s come-from-behind 2-1 win at Al Awwal Park on Saturday night, as last year’s runners-up moved one point behind second-placed Al Hilal and eight off Al Ittihad at the summit.
With the double, Ronaldo also increased his lead at the top of the race for the 2024-25 golden boot to four. Last year’s top scorer now has 23 RSL goals for the campaign, four ahead of closest challenger Abderrazak Hamdallah.
It was Al Riyadh who actually went in front in the Matchweek 27 derby clash, when in first-half injury-time, Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento could only parry Abdullah Al Khaibari’s long-range effort into the path of Faiz Selemani, who converted the rebound.
However, Ronaldo restored parity not long before the hour. A well-worked free-kick allowed Sadio Mane to get in down left to then centre for the Al Nassr captain, who finished from close range.
Within eight minutes, Al Nassr had their winner, Ronaldo meeting a high ball at the edge of the Al Riyadh penalty area to unleash an unstoppable volley into the top corner. The five-time Ballon d’Or wheeled away in celebration as the home crowd went wild.
Ronaldo, 40, and strike partner Jhon Duran almost added to the hosts’ tally to make safe the result, while Al Riyadh nearly snatched a point only for Ibrahim Bayesh’s strike to hit the woodwork.
As it is, Al Nassr remain in the title hunt with seven matches remaining. The capital club stay third, but also kept five points ahead of Al Ahli in fourth and Al Qadsiah in fifth.
