RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo was the star of the show once more as Al-Nassr won 2-1 at Al-Raed on Thursday to move within five points of Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad.
The 39-year-old scored one and made another to give the Yellows a fourth win from the last five.
Ronaldo got his 15th league goal of the season with 35 minutes on the clock, and while it was not the most spectacular, it could end up being crucial. Marcelo Brozovic floated a free-kick from deep, the defenders mistimed their runs but Ronaldo did not, and nipped in to stab home from close range.
It was 2-0 early in the second half. Ronaldo picked up the ball on the left side and produced a slide-rule pass into the area, but there was still a lot of work for Nawaf Boushal to do. The 25-year-old beat a defender for pace, jinked inside and then slotted past the goalkeeper for a very well-worked goal.
The hosts got themselves back into the game with 14 minutes remaining, scoring with a strike Ronaldo himself would have been proud of. Yousri Bouzok found Amir Sayoud on the edge of the area and the Algerian twisted and turned to make space for a shot and then curled the ball into the top corner.
It was a goal that deserved more than being a mere consolation, but the relegation-battling hosts could not quite get the second despite Al-Nassr looking rattled.
The visitors managed to hang on for what could be three very big points, although they are going to have to play better to really trouble the top two.
However, for now, the Yellows move to third, five points behind Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, but the top two can restore their eight-point advantage when they are next in action later in the week.
Earlier, fifth-placed Al-Ahli defeated Al-Orubah 2-0 to make it eight wins out of the last nine. Ziyad Al-Johani opened the scoring after just nine minutes. The Jeddah giants went on to dominate much of the game but struggled to find the second. With 13 minutes remaining, Firas Al-Buraikan had a goal ruled out for offside but then, deep inside added time, Ivan Toney secured the win from the penalty spot.
