Cristiano Ronaldo continues to impress, showcasing his legendary goal-scoring prowess once again as he led Al Nassr to a definitive 3-0 victory over Al Kholood Club on March 14, 2025. The match, part of the Saudi Arabian First Division, took place at Al-Awwal Park, witnessing the contributions of not just Ronaldo, but also Sadio Mané and Jhon Durán, who helped solidify the team’s position and aspirations for the league title.
Ronaldo opened the scoring sheet very early on, netting the first goal just four minutes after kickoff. Following a shot from his teammate Jhon Durán, which was saved by the opposition’s goalkeeper, Ronaldo seized on the rebound, delivering his shot with precision and marking his 928th career goal.
At the 26-minute mark, the scoreline was doubled by Sadio Mané, who added his name to the list of scorers through skillful execution, showcasing Al Nassr’s dominating offensive strategy. This two-goal cushion was complemented by Jhon Durán’s impressive strike just before halftime, making it 3-0 at the 41st minute. Durán tapped this goal following an assist from the 20-year-old Brazilian, Ângelo Gabriel, who spotted him unmarked at the edge of the penalty area, allowing the Colombian to strike with confidence.
This match marks another promising performance for the young striker, Durán, who joined Al Nassr on January 31, 2025. Throughout his time at the club, he has made significant contributions, scoring five goals during the local campaign and finding the back of the net twice more during the AFC Champions League matches.
With this victory against Al Kholood, Al Nassr now finds themselves firmly planted in fourth place with 51 points on the league table, steadily inching closer to the competition for the top position held by Ittihad FC with 61 points. Mané and Ronaldo, along with Durán, who had recently faced criticism for less prolific outings, are proving instrumental as the league season proceeds. The team, under the strategic oversight of Italian manager Stefano Pioli, is positioning itself among the title contenders.
Durán had previously come under scrutiny due to two prior matches without scoring. Still, he changed the narrative with his goal against Al Kholood, evidencing his ability to rise under pressure. Critically, his performance pivots at this moment, landing him more opportunities at the national level, having been called up by Colombia’s coach Néstor Lorenzo for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Brazil and Paraguay.
The match itself also had its tense moments, including the dismissal of Al Nassr’s Nawaf Boushal for receiving two yellow cards by the 56th minute. Ronaldo was substituted out shortly after, at the 61st minute, but not before contributing significantly to the win. The intensity surged again for the home team as their players had to manage their efforts with one less man on the field, especially later when Ali Lawgami inadvertently scored for Al Kholood, tapering the final score to 3-1.
Despite the late-game slip, Al Nassr fans left the stadium energized and optimistic, believing they could battle for the title as the season progresses. The past week had seen them celebrate not only their league performance but also their recent qualification to the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League after defeating Esteghlal 3-0, wherein Jhon Durán played hero with two goals.
With upcoming matches and determined aspirations for the league title, Al Nassr's roster is expected to face stiff competition. Nevertheless, Ronaldo's enduring talent, paired with Durán's rising form as well as Mané's established expertise, hints at continued strong showings.