In the Saudi Pro League League on Thursday night, Al Nassr defeated Al Akhdoud 3-2, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his 33rd goal of the year.

The Portuguese striker’s hat-trick in a 6-0 thumping of Al Wehda was only a few days prior to the visitors’ early lead.


Marcelo Brozovic was left with a free kick at his feet after Alex Telles’ deflected ball went into the corner from the edge of the area.

Eight minutes later, a close-range header from Ali Al Hassan’s cross from the right went in off Ronaldo’s thigh to double the lead.

Early in the second half, Sadio Mane’s attempt to extend the visitors’ lead was thwarted by the crossbar.
In the sixty-minute mark, Hassan Al Habib’s incredible effort from outside the box gave Al Akhdoud a goal back.

After some careless defending by Aymeric Laporte, who gave up the ball to Saviour Godwin inside the box, Akhdoud leveled the score ten minutes later. Godwin scored with ease.


But in stoppage time, Brozovic squeezed the ball home after Ronaldo struck the crossbar with a header, giving Al Nassr the victory.

Al Nassr is presently nine points behind leaders Al Hilal, who can win the title on Saturday by defeating Al Hazm, despite having played one more game.

On May 17, Al Nassr and Al Hilal will play in the Saudi Pro League.