Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stoppage-time bicycle kick to cap Al Nassr’s 4–1 victory over Al Khaleej in their Saudi Pro League clash on Sunday night at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Al Nassr dominated early, with Joao Felix at the heart of the action. After two disallowed goals, the Portuguese forward finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, finishing a low cross into the bottom right corner.
Three minutes later, Felix won possession high up the pitch and set up Wesley, who curled a superb shot into the top corner to give the hosts a 2–0 lead at half-time.
Al Khaleej started the second half brightly and halved the deficit in the 47th minute through Hawsawi, who rifled a powerful strike into the top corner.
But Al Nassr regained control as the game wore on.
Sadio Mané restored the two-goal lead in the 77th minute, reacting quickest to a loose ball to curl home a fine first-time finish.
The visitors’ hopes of a comeback faded further when Kourbeli was shown a straight red card for stamping on Al Hassan’s foot in the 90th minute.
Ronaldo, who had earlier been denied several times by goalkeeper Moris and had a goal ruled out for offside, finally got his moment in added time.
In the 90+6 minute, he connected acrobatically with a floating cross from Boushal, sending a bicycle kick past Moris to seal the victory.
The 40-year-old records his 954th career goal and has now scored ten goals in nine league appearances this season.
The win extends Al Nassr’s push for a ninth straight victory as they continue their strong run in the Saudi Pro League with 27 points. (Punch)
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