Cristiano Ronaldo delivered another moment of magic on Sunday night as Al Nassr extended their impressive run in the Saudi Pro League with a 4–1 victory over Al Khaleej at the packed Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.
The crowd had barely settled from the previous three goals when Ronaldo rose in stoppage time to meet a floated cross from Boushal, twisting mid-air to smash home a bicycle kick that sent the stadium into a frenzy.
“Ronaldo!” echoed across the arena as the 40-year-old wheeled away in celebration, sealing a dominant performance for the home side.
The goal marked his 954th career strike, adding to a season where he has now registered ten goals in nine league matches.
Al Nassr took command early in the match with Joao Felix at the centre of almost every threatening move. After seeing two goals chalked off, the Portuguese forward finally found reward in the 39th minute, guiding a low cross into the bottom corner.
Felix returned three minutes later to win the ball high up the pitch, feeding Wesley who curled a brilliant effort into the top corner, giving the hosts a comfortable 2–0 lead at the break.
Al Khaleej came out of the tunnel sharper and reduced the deficit almost immediately through Hawsawi, who powered a rising shot into the top corner in the 47th minute. The quick response briefly unsettled Al Nassr, but their composure returned as the minutes ticked on.
Sadio Mané restored the cushion in the 77th minute, reacting fastest to a loose ball before sweeping home a calm first-time finish. Any hopes the visitors had of mounting a late comeback evaporated when Kourbeli received a straight red card in the 90th minute for a stamp on Al Hassan.
Ronaldo had earlier been denied repeatedly by Al Khaleej goalkeeper Moris, and one of his efforts was ruled out for offside. But he refused to leave without a signature moment.
His acrobatic finish in the 90+6 minute was a reminder of his enduring instinct and athleticism, even at 40.
The win strengthens Al Nassr’s push for the top of the Saudi Pro League table, securing their ninth straight victory and lifting them to 27 points in the campaign.
Daniel Otera is a dedicated journalist with over four years of experience in reporting, field coverage and fact-checking. He has built a reputation for telling stories with clarity, accuracy and a strong commitment to truth. Daniel’s work focuses on bringing verified information to the public while capturing the real experiences of people on the ground.