Saudi Arabia: Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved his second consecutive hat-trick as Al-Nassr thrashed Abha 8-0 in a match of the Saudi Pro League. The legendary footballer, who won the Ballon d’Or five times, managed to score three goals and provide two assists in the first half of the game, leading the nine-time Saudi Arabian champions to a resounding victory.
This was Ronaldo’s third hat-trick of the league season, following his impressive performance in the previous 5-1 win over Al Tai. With 29 goals to his name, the Portugal forward leads the league in scoring. Interestingly, Ronaldo’s first two goals in the recent games came from free kicks.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with a low shot from a central position just outside the area, only 11 minutes into the game. Ten minutes later, he accomplished the second goal by curling the ball around the wall from the left side.
In the match, Sadio Mane was assisted by Ronaldo for Al Nassr’s third goal merely after the half-hour mark. He dragged the ball back from the left, and Mane scored. Just three minutes before the end of the first half, Ronaldo finished his hat-trick with a stunning chip from beyond the area as he ran towards the goal. There was still adequate time in the first half for Ronaldo to pass the ball to his right for Abdulmajeed Al Sulaiheem to achieve an open goal from near range.
Al Nassr was on target but was dismissed after the break. Saudi Arabian international Abdulrahman Gharib added a sixth soon after the restart and substitute Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa scored two. The win didn’t move Al Nassr into the lead but they remain 12 points behind runaway leaders Al Hilal.
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