RIYADH: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put a huge dent in the title hopes of Cristiano Ronaldo as Al-Qadsiah beat Al-Nassr 2-1 on Friday.
The former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona forward scored the all-important goal as the newly promoted team moved level with the Riyadh giants on 22 points.
It was even more impressive as Ronaldo opened the scoring after 32 minutes as his side looked to move to within two points of leaders Al-Hilal.
It was not the most spectacular strike from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. Mohamed Simakan’s right-sided free-kick was spilled by goalkeeper Koen Casteels and there was Ronaldo to fire home the loose ball to put Al-Nassr within touching distance of their local Riyadh rivals and record his seventh league goal of the season.
But Al-Qadsiah were back on level terms eight minutes before the break. Turki Al-Ammar found space down the left but there was still work to do when his cross entered the area. The ball was chested down by Julian Quinones before the Mexican international shot home.
If that shocked the hosts in Riyadh, then there was more, and worse, to come five minutes into the second half. Nahitan Nandez received the ball on the left and while his looping cross to the far post looked too deep, Quinones hooked the ball back across goal for Aubameyang to head home from the closest of ranges.
It was a massive blow for Al-Nassr who then threw everything forward in an attempt to get something from the game to keep the pressure on the top two.
But it was not to be and Al-Hilal will go nine points clear of their local rivals if they defeat Al-Khaleej on Saturday.
Earlier on Friday, Al-Ahli triumphed for a second successive game in the league to make it three in all competitions, winning 1-0 at Al-Fayha. A 21st-minute penalty was converted by former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez to give the inconsistent team from Jeddah a vital three points that take them into sixth place. Elsewhere, Al-Shabab drew 1-1 at Al-Okhdood to stay fourth.
Al-Hilal can build a four-point lead at the top of the league on Saturday but Al-Ittihad, just a point behind, are in action on Sunday as they take on Al-Fateh.
