Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 982nd goal of his career as Al-Nassr secured a 3-1 win over Al-Faisaly in the Saudi Pro League at Majmaah Sports City Stadium on Friday.
Al-Nassr made a flying start, taking the lead in the fourth minute through Abdullah Al-Hamdan. Preferred to Angelo Gabriel in the starting line-up, Al-Hamdan fired a low shot into the bottom corner from outside the box after being set up by Sadio Mane. Ronaldo doubled the visitors’ advantage four minutes into the second half, meeting a measured cross from João Félix with a header in the 49th minute. However, the goal was not without controversy, as questions emerged over whether the Portuguese forward had made sufficient contact with the ball before it went in.
Ronaldo appeared to glance Félix’s delivery towards goal before it struck Al-Faisaly defender Andrei Girotto and crossed the line. The incident sparked debate on social media over whether the goal should be credited to Ronaldo or recorded as an own goal. The Saudi Pro League, however, awarded it to the 41-year-old, taking his career tally to 982.
Al-Faisaly responded through Theo Bongonda, who headed home Mohammed Al Shanqiti’s cross to reduce the deficit. Al-Nassr coach Ange Postecoglou then introduced Gabriel in an attempt to strengthen his side’s attacking threat. The substitution paid off, with the 21-year-old Brazilian finding the net within 11 minutes of coming on. Al-Hamdan turned provider once again, setting up Gabriel to restore Al-Nassr’s two-goal cushion and seal the victory.
The result lifted Al-Nassr to 25 points, level with leaders Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League standings. Al-Qadsiah were due to face third-placed Al-Hilal later in the round, with the latter sitting a point behind the leading pair and holding a game in hand. The victory also extended Al-Nassr’s winning run to three matches, following a 3-0 win over Al-Diriyah and a 1-0 victory against Neom.