Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half brace, including a late penalty, propelled Al Nassr to a vital 3-1 victory over rivals Al Hilal in a thrilling Saudi Pro League encounter on Friday. The win keeps Al Nassr in the hunt for the league title, closing the gap on their opponents.
Al Nassr now sit in third place with 54 points, trailing second-placed Al Hilal by just three points and league leaders Al Ittihad by seven, with Al Ittihad yet to play Al Ahli on Saturday.
It was Al Nassr who drew first blood before the break, with Ali Al Hassan curling a fantastic shot past Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassin Bono to give his side the lead.
Two minutes after the restart, the evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo doubled Al Nassr’s advantage, finishing precisely after a well-weighted pass from Sadio Mane. Reigning champions Al Hilal attempted to mount a comeback, relying on counter-attacks, and managed to pull a goal back in the 62nd minute. Ali Al Bulayhi headed home from close range following a corner to reduce the deficit.
However, Ronaldo ensured all three points for Al Nassr in the dying minutes of the game. In the 88th minute, a penalty was awarded for a handball by Al Hilal substitute Mouteb Al-Harbi after a VAR review. The Portuguese superstar stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot-kick, sealing a crucial win for his team.
Speaking to SSC after the match, Ronaldo emphasized the importance of teamwork. “The team effort was crucial to this win and me scoring is important but it’s more important to win,” he stated. He further added, “I work hard to help the team in the SPL and Champions League and don’t concentrate on individual records.”
This victory represents a significant boost for Al Nassr’s title aspirations, setting up an intriguing chase for the Saudi Pro League crown in the remaining weeks of the season.
