With his goal against Al-Shabab, Cristiano has scored as many goals after his 30th birthday as before. A remarkable statistic, but it wasn't enough for a victory against Wesley Hoedt's team.
Embed from Getty Images
Al-Nassr endured a frustrating night at home as they were held to a 2-2 draw against Al-Shabab on Friday, in a match filled with drama, late goals, and a crucial red card that turned the tide.
The game, played at the King Saud University Stadium, saw Cristiano Ronaldo once again proving his worth with a goal in first-half stoppage time, but even his efforts were not enough to secure the three points.
The hosts started the match with confidence, pressing high up the pitch and creating early chances. Sadio Mané was particularly lively, testing the Al-Shabab defense with his movement and quick dribbles, while Otávio and Marcelo Brozović worked hard in midfield to control possession. However, it was Al-Shabab who struck first, taking the lead in the opening half-hour with a well-worked goal. The visitors, who have struggled for consistency this season, executed a swift counterattack that left Al-Nassr's defense exposed, and a precise finish saw them go 1-0 up.
Despite falling behind, Al-Nassr remained composed and continued to push forward. Their pressure eventually paid off deep into stoppage time of the first half, when Cristiano Ronaldo found the back of the net. The Portuguese superstar, always sharp in front of goal, latched onto a well-delivered cross and fired home to make it 2-1, sending the home crowd into celebration. The goal marked yet another milestone in his legendary career, taking his all-time tally to 926 goals.
Ronaldo's scoring record remains one of the most remarkable achievements in football history. Having turned forty last month, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner continues to defy age and expectations. Remarkably, exactly half of his 926 goals have come after his 30th birthday, a testament to his longevity and unwavering commitment to excellence. His spell at Real Madrid was particularly prolific, with the Portuguese forward netting more goals than the number of matches he played, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest goal scorers of all time.
The second half of the match saw Al-Nassr continue to control possession, but their task was made significantly harder when Mohammed Al Fatil received a red card for a reckless challenge. The sending-off completely changed the dynamic of the game, allowing Al-Shabab to push forward in search of an equalizer. The visitors eventually found their breakthrough late in the match, capitalizing on their numerical advantage to level the score at 2-2. Despite Al-Nassr's best efforts to reclaim the lead, they were unable to find a winner, and the match ended in a frustrating draw.
With this result, Al-Nassr remains in fourth place in the Saudi Pro League standings after 24 matches. They now trail league leaders Al-Ittihad Steven Bergwijn’s team by ten points, making their title hopes increasingly difficult. While they still have a mathematical chance of catching up, the dropped points at home could prove costly in the final stretch of the season.
Despite the disappointing result, Ronaldo’s individual brilliance continues to shine. With his goal against Al-Shabab his 18th of the season he now leads the Saudi Pro League’s top scorers’ chart outright. His closest competitors, Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad), and Marcos Leonardo (Al-Hilal), each have 16 goals, keeping the race for the Golden Boot highly competitive.
As the season progresses, Al-Nassr will need to regroup quickly and regain momentum if they are to challenge for the title. With Ronaldo in top form and the experience of players like Mané and Brozović, they have the quality to push for better results. However, defensive discipline and maintaining composure in key moments will be crucial to their success in the final stretch of the campaign.
Updated: 09:50, 8 Mar 2025
