The Portuguese player returned with two goals after more than a month sidelined with injury.
Cristiano Ronaldo is back (and with goals). The Portuguese player = who was sidelined for more than a month due to injury = returned this Friday to complete his 100th game in the Saudi League.
In their match against bottom=placed Al Najma, Al Nassr had to work hard to secure the three points. In fact, it was the away team that scored first.
Relive the triumphant film (5-2).
In a quick counter-attack, Felippe Cardoso ended up setting up Al Tulathi who, inside the area, shot first-time to open the scoring near the end of the first half.
Nevertheless, Jorge Jesus’ team managed to turn the game around before halftime. First, Hamddan (45+8m) found himself in a good position to score the equalizer following a goal. Immediately afterwards, Sadio Mané (45+9m) broke down the left flank and placed a shot to complete the comeback.
The second half brought more excitement and… goals. Right at the start, Al Najma equalized again with a well-executed attacking move. Felippe Cardoso (47m), formerly of Casa Pia, beat an opponent and shot towards the far post.
With the score level again, it was Cristiano Ronaldo who restored Al Nassr’s lead in the 56th minute. The Portuguese player took a direct free kick from practically no angle. Luckily for Cristiano, the ball ended up hitting the arm of a man in the wall.
VAR confirmed the penalty. From the penalty spot, Ronaldo returned to scoring form in his return from injury. However, the 41-year-old striker wouldn’t stop there.
In an attack down the right flank, Cristiano (73′) made a good run and found himself in a great position to score Al Nassr’s fourth goal = and his second of the season. In terms of his career, the national team captain reached his 967th goal in official matches.
Finally, there was still time for Mané to score his second goal. In stoppage time, the Senegalese player appeared at the far post to tap in the fifth.
With this victory (5-2), Al Nassr remains the sole leader with 70 points. Al Najma, in turn, continues in 18th and last place with only eight points.