Cristiano Ronaldo scores brace as Al-Nassr return to Saudi Pro League summit

Al-Nassr began as firm favourites against 12th-placed Al-Hazem, but the visitors created the first clear chance when Omar Al-Somah met a free header that trickled into the gloves of Bento. Joao Felix broke forward and demanded a penalty after a coming together with Abdelmounaim Boutouil, but a VAR check ruled out a penalty and red card.

Moments later Ronaldo found space and squeezed the ball into the top corner from a tight angle. An initial offside flag was overturned by VAR after his perfectly timed run, and Al-Nassr had a 13th-minute lead. Ronaldo should have had a second seven minutes later when he rounded Ibrahim Zaied but lost his footing and could not poke the ball home; claims he was fouled fell on deaf ears.

The lead was extended on the half-hour when Coman turned goalscorer after Felix’s ingenious through-ball, sliding the ball home for his eighth goal of the season. After the break Felix dragged a shot just wide and Youssouf Oumarou blazed over following a mistake by Mohamed Simakan.

Saudi Arabia

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