What a night in Riyadh! Yesterday’s Saudi Pro League clash at SHG Arena delivered everything fans crave — early fireworks, a hat-trick hero, a milestone moment from the GOAT, and a pulsating end-to-end battle that ended Al Shabab 2-4 Al Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. bounced back strongly and extended their lead at the top of the table to five points. Title race? Still very much on, and Al Nassr are looking dangerous.
Match Recap: From 0-2 to a Goal Fest
The game exploded right from the kick-off. João Félix was absolutely unplayable.
- 3rd minute: Félix opens the scoring with a clinical finish.
- 10th minute: Félix bags his second! Al Nassr were flying at 2-0 inside ten minutes.
Al Shabab refused to roll over. Yannick Carrasco pulled one back around the 30th minute to make it 2-1 and give the home fans hope. The game turned into a proper thriller.
The second half stayed tense until Cristiano Ronaldo struck in the 75th minute — his 100th goal in the Saudi Pro League in just 105 appearances. Pure history. The King delivered again.
Al Shabab hit back with Ali Al-Bulayhi’s goal in the 80th minute to make it 3-2 and set up a grandstand finish. But in added time (90+8’), Félix sealed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to make the final score 2-4. What a player he’s become alongside Ronaldo!
Standout Performances
- João Félix (Man of the Match): A sensational hat-trick. Clinical, confident, and lethal on the counter. He’s formed a deadly partnership with Ronaldo.
- Cristiano Ronaldo: Goal number 100 in the league and another tireless display. Even at 41, he remains the heartbeat of this team.
- The Rest of the Yellow Army: Solid contributions across the pitch kept Al Nassr in control despite Al Shabab’s fightback.
Al Nassr now sit comfortably at the summit with games in hand. With rivals Al Hilal breathing down their neck, this kind of ruthless attacking display is exactly what’s needed in the run-in.
What This Means for the Title Race
This victory pushes Al Nassr five points clear. With only a few matches remaining, the pressure is on, but momentum is firmly with Jorge Jesus’ men after a recent wobble.
The attacking trio of Ronaldo, Félix, and supporting cast (Mané, Brozović, etc.) looks unstoppable when clicking. If they maintain this level, that first Saudi Pro League title for Ronaldo could be within touching distance.
What a way to bounce back and entertain! Al Nassr delivered a proper European-style goal fest in the desert.
Were you watching last night? Who impressed you most — Félix’s hat-trick or Ronaldo’s milestone? Drop your thoughts, ratings, and title predictions in the comments below!
Let’s keep the momentum going, Yellow Army!
SOURCE: DailySabah
