In Saudi Arabia’s tenth-round programme, Cristiano Ronaldo moved closer to a landmark that has followed him across Europe and now the Gulf. Al Nassr’s 3-1 win over Al Faysaly brought the Portuguese forward to 982 career goals, leaving him 18 short of 1,000.
It was Ronaldo’s fourth Al Nassr appearance since his departure from the Portugal camp, and his third goal across those four matches. He now has five league goals this season.
Quick facts
- Al Faysaly 1-3 Al Nassr in the Saudi league’s tenth round.
- Ronaldo scored his 982nd career goal.
- Al Nassr are second on 25 points, level with leaders Al Qadsiah.
- Mateo Retegui has scored nine times for Brendan Rodgers’ Al Qadsiah.
Al Nassr had already gone ahead through Al Hamdan when Ronaldo found the net after the interval. João Félix delivered a free-kick into the penalty area and Ronaldo, attempting to meet it with his head, instead guided it in with the upper part of his back.
The 40-year-old had earlier struck the post after working space inside the box. He also had another effort ruled out by VAR for offside soon after his goal.
Al Faysaly then cut the deficit, briefly giving the contest a different shape. Angelo settled it for Al Nassr with just over 10 minutes remaining, scoring the visitors’ third.
The result keeps the Riyadh side alongside Al Qadsiah at the summit on 25 points, though Brendan Rodgers’ team hold first place. Retegui remains their principal scorer with nine league goals.
