Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Al-Nassr to a 2-1 win over Al-Riyadh on Saturday to move his team to within a point of second-placed Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League and eight behind leaders Al-Ittihad.
Those two goals from the megastar, 22 and 23 in the league season so far, not only keep the 40-year-old on top of the scoring standings but, more importantly, mean that the Yellows are, just, still in the race for the title with seven games to go.
It was looking very different at the end of the first half however, as Al-Nassr fell a goal behind just before the break. Faiz Selemani made the breakthrough, reacting quickly to score a rebound after Nassr goalkeeper Bento had parried a long-range shot from Abdullah Al-Khaibari into his path.
While the home fans were stunned, a certain five-time Ballon d’Or winner sprung into action four minutes before the hour. Sadio Mane, on the left byline, sent a pass across the edge of the six-yard box for the former Real Madrid and Manchester United legend to score from close range.
Four minutes after the hour, Ronaldo produced a spectacular winner. A clearance looped up to the Portuguese star on the edge of the area and he smashed an unstoppable volley into the top corner for what will surely be one of the goals of the season.
There was still time for Ronaldo and Jhon Duran to go close to sealing the win and Ibrahim Bayesh almost claimed a point for Riyadh before the woodwork intervened. A late red card for Ahmed Asiri ended the visitors’ quest for a point however.
Al-Nassr moved five points clear of the two teams in fourth and fifth. Al-Ahli won on Friday while Al-Qadsiah’s hopes of a top three finish were dented with a 2-1 defeat away to Al-Fayha.
The hosts took the lead just after the half-hour through Renzo Lopez but the visitors, who would have moved to within three points of Al-Hilal with a win, dominated most of the possession and chances but just could not find the back of the net.
Their misery was complete as Lopez added a second just before the hour, which meant that a 93rd minute goal from Julian Quinones was a case of too little too late.
