Ronaldo scores in Al Nassr win, responds to 'Messi' chants

Cristiano Ronaldo, unerring in his goal-scoring form - including another gesture to the crowd - and Brazil's Anderson Talisca, who scored a brace, helped Al Nassr to a 3-2 win over Al Shabab, with Croatian Ivan Rakitic and Belgian Yannick Ferreira Carrasco continuing their pursuit of Saudi Arabian league leaders Al Hilal.

It was not until late on that Al Nassr secured their sixth win in a row as Talisca's second goal, from Abdullah Al Khaibari's pass, ended the home side's resistance as they repeatedly overturned the deficit.

Ronaldo opened the scoring after 20 minutes when he converted a penalty for a handball by an Al Shabab defender inside the box. He is the competition's top scorer with 22 goals and nine assists in 21 games so far.

Al Shabab also equalised from the penalty spot in the added time of the first half. A foul by Aymeric Laporte was penalised with a spot kick as former Atletico Madrid player Yannick Carrasco from 12 yards.

Al Nassr regained the lead at the start of the second half. Anderson Talisca scored after receiving a pass from Otavio. However, Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira's home side levelled the score again after Carlos Junior scored from Habib Diallo's pass.

Just as the game looked to be heading for a draw, Luis Castro's side scored the winner in the 87th minute after Abdullah Al Khaibari's through ball.

Once Cristiano Ronaldo's team had wrapped up victory, the former Real Madrid player gestured to the Al Shabab fans who had been chanting "Messi, Messi" for some time.

The win, their sixth in a row, moved Al Nassr to within six points of leaders Al Hilal, who visit Al Ettifaq in their Matchday 21 clash on Monday.

 

February 26, 2024