In a thrilling encounter at the King Saud University Stadium, Al-Nassr showcased their resilience as they came from behind to defeat Al-Riyadh 2-1 in the 27th round of the Saudi Arabian Championship. The star of the match was none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored two stunning goals in just eight minutes, further solidifying his status as one of football's all-time greats.
The match began with a surprising twist as Al-Riyadh opened the scoring just before halftime. In the 45+2 minute, Selemani found the back of the net, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead and leaving Al-Nassr fans anxious as they headed into the break. The first half saw Al-Nassr playing somewhat lackadaisically, allowing Al-Riyadh to create several chances, but they managed to hold on until the halftime whistle.
However, the second half brought a renewed vigor to Al-Nassr's gameplay. Just eleven minutes after the restart, Sadio Mané made a crucial run down the wing and delivered a perfect cross into the box. Ronaldo, ever the poacher, was on hand to finish it off, leveling the score at 1-1 in the 56th minute. The Portuguese superstar's ability to find space and convert chances was on full display, and he wasn't done yet.
Only eight minutes later, in the 64th minute, Ronaldo struck again, this time with a spectacular long-range effort. He received the ball just outside the penalty area and unleashed a powerful shot that rattled the crossbar before bouncing down and over the goal line. This remarkable goal marked not only his second of the match but also his 38th of the season and the 933rd of his illustrious career.
With these two goals, Ronaldo has scored in each of his last five matches for Al-Nassr, and he has now netted a total of 23 goals in the current league campaign. His performance has placed him firmly at the top of the league's scoring charts, with a commanding four-goal lead over his closest rival, Abderrazak Hamdallah, who has 19 goals. Karim Benzema follows in third place with 17 goals.
The victory was crucial for Al-Nassr, who now sits firmly in third place in the Saudi Arabian Championship standings, just eight points behind the leaders, Al-Ittihad. This win not only boosts their chances of competing for the title but also reinforces their position among the top teams in the league.
As the match drew to a close, Al-Riyadh's Asiri was shown a red card in the 90+4 minute, further complicating their efforts to mount a comeback. Despite the late-game drama, Al-Nassr maintained their composure and secured the win, much to the delight of their home supporters.
Ronaldo's achievement in this match is particularly noteworthy as it cements his status as the most prolific goal-scorer in the history of official matches. His tally now stands at 932 goals at the club level and 136 for the Portuguese national team, making him a true legend of the sport.
Following the match, Ronaldo took to social media to express his excitement, posting, "That's how we do it!" This reflects not only his competitive spirit but also his role as a source of inspiration for younger players around the world.
Looking ahead, Ronaldo's continued presence at Al-Nassr is secured with a contract extension that keeps him with the club for another two years. This extension brings the prospect of reaching the monumental milestone of 1,000 career goals within reach, a feat that would further etch his name into the annals of football history.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Ronaldo and Al-Nassr as they strive to close the gap on Al-Ittihad and secure the championship title. With Ronaldo in such fine form, fans can expect more thrilling performances and memorable moments as the race for the title heats up.
