Cristiano Ronaldo struck a superb winner in the Riyadh derby against Al Shabab on Tuesday night to keep alive Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League title chances.
The Portuguese forward, signed in December, scored the decisive goal as his side came back from 2-0 down to triumph 3-2 at Mrsool Park.
Second-placed Nassr’s hopes of a first top-flight title in four years had been slipping away, with the team trailing to two first-half goals from Cristian Guanca. At the same time, leaders Al Ittihad were 1-0 up at home to Al Batin.
However, Brazilian Anderson Talisca pulled a goal back for Nassr just before half time and winger Abdelrahman Ghareeb levelled the scores six minutes after the interval.
Ronaldo, 38, then stepped up with arguably the finest of his 14 league goals thus far – and undoubtedly his most important. Just before the hour mark, the Nassr captain collected the ball, shrugged off a challenge, evaded a marker and then whipped a 20-yard shot inside the Shabab far post.
The goal sparked wild celebrations on the pitch and in the stands.
Speaking to SSC TV immediately after the three vital points were secure, Ronaldo said: "The team played a fantastic game. Being behind 2-0 is very difficult but we believed until the end, and we scored three goals.”
The win keeps Nassr three points behind Ittihad with two rounds remaining. However, with the Jeddah club holding a superior head-to-head record against Nassr, they can clinch a first Saudi league crown in 14 years if they defeat 12-placed Al Fayha on Saturday night.
Nassr faced Al Ettifaq, in 10th, also on Saturday.
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Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring the winning goal in a 3-2 win over Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League at Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, on May 23, 2023. Reuters -
Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo heads the ball. AFP -
Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo runs at the Al Shabab defence. AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo is marked by Al Shabab's Iago Santos. AFP -
Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo receives medical attention on the pitch. AFP -
Al Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP -
Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo stands for the anthem ahead of the Saudi Pro League match against Al Shabab at Al Awwal Park. AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo attempts a shot against Shabab's South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu. AFP -
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after the match. Reuters -
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo applauds fans after the match. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo in action. Reuters -
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo in action. Reuters -
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo remonstrates. Reuters -
Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with his teammates after scoring. AFP -
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo in action with Al Shabab's Hassan Tambakti. Reuters -
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal. Reuters
