Duran, Ronaldo star as Al-Nassr win again

Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Duran were on target on Friday as Al-Nassr beat Al-Fayha 3-0 to go back into third place in the Saudi Pro League. (X/@AlNassrFC_EN)
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Updated 07 February 2025
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Duran, Ronaldo star as Al-Nassr win again

  • Duran scores twice, Ronaldo adds third
  • Al-Nassr back in third place in table after victory

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Duran were on target on Friday as Al-Nassr beat Al-Fayha 3-0 to go back into third place in the Saudi Pro League.
Duran, who signed from Aston Villa from the English Premier League at the end of the January transfer window, put the Yellows ahead midway through the first half. The Colombian, who picked up possession just outside the area, turned inside and then shot home into the bottom corner to score his first goal in his first SPL game.

It was a great start but the Yellows had to wait until the 72nd minute to extend their lead. Duran got his, and the team’s, second as he lifted the ball over the goalkeeper from the edge of the six-yard box.
It sealed the win for the hosts, but there was still time for another goal, and two minutes later it was 3-0. Nawaf Boushal ran down the right and then pulled the ball back into the area for Ronaldo to sweep home from just inside the box. It was the 16th league goal of the season for the Portuguese star, who stays on top of the scoring rankings. It also secured another win for Al-Nassr, their fourth in succession.
“It was a good match and we played well against a solid opponent who did not make it easy for us,” said Al-Nassr’s coach Stefano Pioli. “We were patient and, at the end, we got what we wanted.”
The win means that Al-Nassr are in third place, five points behind Al-Hilal in second and eight behind leaders Al-Ittihad.
Earlier, Al-Ahli beat Al-Fateh 2-0 with both goals coming from England striker Ivan Toney from the penalty spot.


McIlroy wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year after Masters and Ryder Cup victories in 2025

Updated 19 December 2025
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McIlroy wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year after Masters and Ryder Cup victories in 2025

  • The 36-year-old McIlroy won the public vote for the BBC prize ahead of England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup-winning star, Ellie Kildunne, and new Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris
  • McIlroy attended the BBC ceremony in Salford and said on stage: “2025 has been the year that I made my dreams come true. “From Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything else in between, it really has been the year that dreams are made of“

SALFORD, England: Rory McIlroy was voted as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Thursday, capping a year that saw him win the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam and then an away Ryder Cup with Team Europe.

The 36-year-old McIlroy won the public vote for the BBC prize ahead of England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup-winning star, Ellie Kildunne, and new Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris.

He is the first golfer to win the award since Nick Faldo in 1989 — the year McIlroy was born.

McIlroy came close to winning the accolade in 2014, losing out to F1 driver Lewis Hamilton despite capturing the British Open and PGA Championship titles that year.

His win at Augusta National in April, in a playoff against Justin Rose, was his first major title since then and meant he became the sixth male golfer to complete the Grand Slam.

This year, McIlroy also won The Players Championship, his home Irish Open and a fourth straight Race to Dubai title, which crowned him as the year’s No. 1 player on the European tour.

However, his other biggest victory came in a team event when he contributed 3 1/2 points for Europe in its win over the US in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. It was Europe’s first away win in 13 years.

McIlroy attended the BBC ceremony in Salford and said on stage: “2025 has been the year that I made my dreams come true.

“From Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything else in between, it really has been the year that dreams are made of.”