Cristiano Ronaldo scored three second-half goals as Al Nassr overcame Al Kholood 5-3 in a dramatic Saudi Pro League contest on Thursday.
The Portugal captain had two goals ruled out for offside during the match, but eventually completed his hat-trick to settle a contest that remained in doubt until the closing stages.
The victory took Al Nassr to 28 points after 12 rounds of the competition. They moved level with temporarily leading Al Qadsiah, while Al Hilal were a point behind on 27.
Al Kholood proved determined opponents throughout, repeatedly resisting Al Nassr’s attempts to take control. The game developed into an open contest before the home side’s attacking quality decided the outcome.
Ronaldo thought he had given Al Nassr the lead in the 10th minute, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. Six minutes later, Al Kholood took advantage of the uncertainty when Julian Dominguez put the visitors ahead.
Al Nassr responded in the 24th minute through Brazilian forward Angelo Gabriel, who restored parity. The hosts then continued to apply pressure and moved in front when Sadio Mane scored in the 38th minute.
Al Kholood refused to retreat, however, and Loic Essomba equalised in stoppage time at the end of the first half. The teams went into the interval at 2-2, with Ronaldo also objecting after a second goal of his was disallowed for offside.
Ronaldo finally found a valid route to goal in the 66th minute. Joao Felix produced an excellent pass for his compatriot, who finished to put Al Nassr back in front.
The 39-year-old doubled the advantage six minutes later with a header, giving Al Kholood a much tougher task as the hosts began to take control of the second half.
Ronaldo completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute, converting Sadio Mane’s precise pass. His three goals transformed a frustrating evening, which had begun with disallowed efforts, into a decisive contribution that secured victory for Al Nassr.
The hat-trick also provided a direct response to the first-half setbacks, as Ronaldo turned his opportunities into officially recognised goals after twice seeing the ball ruled out.
The result strengthened Al Nassr’s position in a tightly contested title race. Al Qadsiah remained level with them on points at the top temporarily, with Al Hilal close behind on 27.
The match produced eight goals in total and ended with Al Nassr completing a dramatic comeback against an Al Kholood side that had continued to challenge them until the final stages.
