Cristiano Ronaldo made an emphatic comeback on Friday, scoring twice to inspire Al-Nassr to a convincing 5–2 win against Al-Najma. The forward, returning after missing three league matches due to a hamstring issue, celebrated his 100th appearance in the Saudi Pro League by helping his team establish a six-point lead at the summit.
The Portuguese striker showed no signs of inactivity, delivering a decisive second-half performance that underlined his importance. His two goals dismantled the opposition’s resistance and highlighted his continued influence despite time spent recovering from injury.
His numbers remain remarkable, with 97 goals recorded across his first 100 league outings in Saudi Arabia. This tally places him significantly ahead of Abderrazzaq Hamed-Allah over the same span. With eight attempts on goal and four major chances created during the match, Ronaldo once again demonstrated his decisive role in the title race.
Early setbacks and attacking response
Although the final score suggested control, the opening stages presented challenges for Al-Nassr. Just before halftime, Felippe Cardoso used his strength to set up Rakan Al Tulayhi, who finished clinically to give Al-Najma an unexpected advantage.
The hosts reacted quickly and effectively. Abdullah Al Hamddan leveled the score by converting at the far post following a flick-on from Abdulelah Al Amri, which originated from a delivery by Marcelo Brozovic. Momentum shifted dramatically during stoppage time when Sadio Mane produced a brilliant solo effort, dribbling past multiple defenders before finding the top corner to put Al-Nassr ahead at the interval.
Second-half surge seals commanding win
After the restart, Al-Najma briefly threatened again as Cardoso added a goal of his own, finishing neatly from a cut-back by David Tijanic. However, parity was short-lived as Ronaldo restored control from the penalty spot after Abdullah Al Hawsawi was penalized for handball.
Ronaldo struck again in the 73rd minute, reacting sharply to a low cross from Nawaf Bu Washl and finishing from close range. Although initially ruled out, a VAR review confirmed the goal, much to the delight of the home supporters.
The scoring concluded deep into stoppage time when Mane added his second, finishing from a pass by Salem Al Najdi to secure the 5–2 result. The victory increases pressure on Al-Hilal, who trail by six points ahead of their upcoming match against Al-Taawon, while Ronaldo expressed his satisfaction post-match, stating on social media, “It’s good to be back! We move forward together!”