After a streak of three winless games in the Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr, spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo, secured a decisive 4-1 victory over Al Riyadh.
The game marked a significant milestone for Ronaldo, achieving 1,200 career soccer appearances. Ronaldo’s impact was immediate, scoring the opening goal and setting up a second for teammate Otavio, showcasing his enduring influence on the field.
The first half was dominated by Al Nassr, with Ronaldo playing a pivotal role. A controversial moment occurred in the 13th minute when Al Riyadh’s defender blocked Ronaldo’s shot with his hand, but no penalty was awarded.
Despite the frustration, Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a brilliant finish off a cross from Sadio Mane. Later, Ronaldo exhibited a remarkable individual effort to assist Otavio’s goal, solidifying Al Nassr’s lead by halftime.
While the first half belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo, the second half saw Anderson Talisca take centre stage for Al Nassr. Talisca scored two crucial goals, first capitalizing on Sadio Mane’s play and then scoring a header just before the final whistle.
Al Riyadh scored a consolation goal through Andre Gray, assisted by substitute Juanmi. Still, it was not enough to challenge Al Nassr’s dominance, thanks to the combined efforts of Ronaldo and Talisca.
