Cristiano Ronaldo’s double secured Al Nassr’s 2-0 victory over Damac, keeping the team firmly in third place in the Saudi league, five points adrift of league leaders Al Ittihad, captained by Karim Benzema. The Portuguese icon now boasts 915 career goals, edging nearer to the remarkable 1,000-goal milestone.
Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the 17th minute with a composed penalty following Abdelkader Bedrane’s handball in the box. The Portuguese legend’s clinical finish added to his remarkable tally, bringing him closer to the extraordinary milestone of 1,000 career goals.
Damac gained momentum in the second half, posing a greater threat in attack. Bento was forced to make several vital saves as Al-Nassr’s fragile defense struggled to cope with Habib Diallo and his teammates. However, a reckless studs-up tackle on Mohamed Simakan by Bedrane resulted in a red card, leaving Damac with ten men.
Al Nassr capitalized on the numbers advantage, with Ronaldo doubling the lead in the 80th minute, expertly converting a well-placed cross from Nawaf Boushal on the left wing. Ronaldo’s career tally now includes 170 penalty goals, reinforcing his status as the highest scorer in football history with a remarkable total of 915 goals.
This match was his first multi-goal performance of the current league campaign. Last season, he scored 35 goals in 31 appearances for Al-Nassr in the SPL. Only Aleksandar Mitrovic of Al-Hilal, with 12 goals, has scored more than him this season.
“Three points, two goals, and we keep moving move forward!” Ronaldo posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts, sharing match photos, including moments of celebration with teammates Anderson Talisca and Otavio.
3 points, 2 goals and we keep going! pic.twitter.com/iea5YMUffm
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) November 29, 2024
“Facing Al-Ittihad is essential for us,” Pioli said after the match. “They are at the top and currently five points ahead, but this isn’t our last chance—the league is still long and filled with competition, highlighting its strength this season.”
This win keeps Al Nassr firmly in the title hunt as they prepare for a pivotal showdown against league leaders Al Ittihad in the next round, a match that could significantly narrow the gap at the top of the table. But first up, Stefano Piolo’s side turns their attention to the AFC Champions League, preparing to face Al-Sadd on Monday.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
