Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a match-winning performance on Friday, scoring twice to secure Al Nassr's 3-1 victory over Al Hilal in a high-stakes Saudi Pro League encounter. The win tightens the title race, with Al Nassr now trailing second-placed Al Hilal by just three points and leaders Al Ittihad by seven.
Ali Al Hassan opened the scoring before halftime with a clinical curled strike, setting the stage for Ronaldo's dominance. The Portuguese star doubled the lead two minutes into the second half, capitalizing on a setup by Sadio Mane. Al Hilal briefly rallied with Ali Al Bulayhi's header, but Ronaldo sealed the result with an 88th-minute penalty after a VAR-confirmed handball.
"The team effort was crucial," Ronaldo emphasized post-match, downplaying individual accolades. "Winning matters most as we push in the league and AFC Champions League."
The result injects fresh drama into the Saudi Pro League, with Al Ittihad facing Al Ahli next. Analysts say Ronaldo's leadership continues to elevate Al Nassr's ambitions, drawing global attention to the league's growing competitiveness.
