38-year-old striker Cristiano Ronaldo scored three goals and provided one assist, helping Al Nassr beat hosts Al Fateh 5-0 in the third round of the Saudi Pro League.
After two consecutive defeats, Al Nassr finally secured their first three points in the 2023-2024 Saudi League. With the additions of center-back Aymeric Laporte and the $65 million midfielder Otavio, the visitors' superior strength allowed them to win, albeit seemingly without unleashing their full potential. Ronaldo and Sadio Mane scored all five goals, with simple close-range finishes at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium.
Ronaldo dribbles the ball during the match against Al Fateh at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia, on August 25, 2023. Photo: ANFC
After two goalless matches, Ronaldo finally shone, contributing to the first four goals against the home team. In the 27th minute, he received a pass from Marcelo Brozovic and flicked the ball between the legs of the opposing center-back, allowing Mane to run in and chip the ball in to open the scoring. The away fans lit flares as Ronaldo and Mane celebrated with arm around each other. That was only Ronaldo's fourth assist of the year, after 32 matches in all competitions.
What Ronaldo did better was score, and he netted his first hat-trick in exactly six months, although all three goals were from within the 5.5-meter box. In the 38th minute, defender Sultan Al Ghannam crossed the ball from the right for Ronaldo to head it into the net unmarked from about 4 meters. He jumped and spun to celebrate his first goal in the Saudi League this season, but did not celebrate in the same way for the other two goals.
Ronaldo celebrates his third hat-trick for Al Nassr. Photo: Janty
In the 55th minute, midfielder Abdulrahman Ghareeb raced down the wing to face the goalkeeper but instead of shooting, he passed the ball across to Ronaldo, who tapped it into the empty net. In the final minute, Ayman Yahya crossed the ball to the far post for Ronaldo to score a simple goal, completing his hat-trick. In both goals, he ran to embrace the player who assisted him.
The 38-year-old superstar increased his career tally to 847 goals and 63 hat-tricks, both 21st-century records. After the match, he asked the referee to sign the ball used for the player who scored three goals.
Besides his hat-trick and improvised assist, Ronaldo also played aggressively and stood out with a spectacular move in the 69th minute. He flicked the ball to the right and then quickly flicked it back in the opposite direction inside the penalty area, using the "flip flap" technique often seen in Ronaldinho's play. Captain Al Nassr got past his opponent but was fouled and was not awarded a penalty.
Ronaldo's hat-trick against Al Fateh.
Ronaldo stole the spotlight, but Mane also deserved praise for his brace. After heading in the second goal in the 81st minute, the Senegalese striker celebrated with a spin similar to Ronaldo's. Mane then looked towards CR7 as he ran towards him and smiled broadly. Midfielder Brozovic continued to dominate Al Nassr's midfield, with most of their attacking moves going through the Croatian player.
With their first win, Al Nassr climbed to 10th place in the Saudi League. Only two teams remain with perfect records: Al Ittihad and Al Ahli. In their next match, Al Nassr will play Al Shabab at home at 1:00 AM on Wednesday, August 30th, Hanoi time.
Hoang An
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