On November 29, 2024, Al Nassr faced off against Damac at the Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, where the Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo led his team to victory with two impressive goals. This match was significant as it marked another step for Ronaldo toward reaching the monumental milestone of 1,000 career goals.
From the get-go, Al Nassr displayed dominance on the field, but it was Ronaldo who broke the deadlock by scoring from the penalty spot just 17 minutes after kickoff. The situation arose when Damac's defender Abdelkader Bedrane handled the ball within the box, prompting the referee to award the penalty kick. Ronaldo approached the spot, struck the ball firmly, and sent it low to the bottom left corner past the keeper.
Throughout the first half, Al Nassr maintained their intensity, pushing for more goals. Despite several attempts, including some near misses, they couldn’t find the net again before halftime, leaving the score at 1-0.
During the second half, the game took a turn when Demac’s Bedrane received his marching orders for a reckless challenge, leaving his team down to ten men. This red card greatly hindered Damac’s chances of equalization. With the numerical advantage, Al Nassr capitalized on the opportunity, putting pressure on the weakened defense.
Ronaldo sealed the game with his second goal of the night at the 79th minute. Following a swift counterattack, midfielder Nawaf Boushal delivered the perfect cutback, allowing Ronaldo to smash the ball home with his left foot. This goal not only secured the victory for Al Nassr but also marked his 915th career goal overall.
Post-match, Ronaldo took to social media to express his satisfaction, posting, "3 points, 2 goals and we keep going!" His performance received immediate praise from various quarters, including his former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand, who commented on social media, urging him to slow down with his performance.
This victory was particularly important for Al Nassr as they now hold 25 points after 12 matches, keeping them firmly competitive, just five points shy of the league leaders. The win reflects their strong intent to challenge for the Saudi Pro League title as the season progresses. Al Nassr's consistent performances, bolstered by Ronaldo's remarkable goal-scoring ability, instill optimism among fans about their chances of closing the gap at the top of the table.
With Ronaldo's remarkable expertise, Al Nassr is showing promise to maintain its stature as one of the top contenders for the championship title this season. His two goals against Damac signify not only the forward's remarkable skill but also his unrelenting pursuit of history.