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Cristiano Ronaldo put Al-Nassr on the brink of glory in the Saudi Pro League after inspiring his side to a vital 2-0 win over rivals Al Ahli. The Portuguese sensation once again made the difference, allowing the Riyadh-based giants to extend their incredible winning streak to 20 matches in all competitions.
Vintage Ronaldo breaks the deadlock
In a high-stakes encounter that remained deadlocked for 75 minutes, it was inevitable that Ronaldo would be the man to provide the spark. The 41-year-old rose highest to meet a precise corner from Portuguese teammate Joao Felix, glancing a header into the top corner that left Edouard Mendy stranded on the spot.
The header marked Ronaldo’s 25th goal of the current league campaign, cementing his position as one of the world’s most clinical finishers. After the goal, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner celebrated with his characteristic exuberance, leading his teammates to the corner as the Al-Nassr faithful felt a first Saudi Pro League title for their captain was finally within reach.
Kingsley Coman signs Al-Nassr’s 20th consecutive victory
As Ronaldo grabbed headlines with the opener, former Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman assured there would be no late drama. The Frenchman took advantage of Al Ahli’s failure to clear another dangerous free kick in the 90th minute, unleashing a powerful strike into the back of the net to make it 2-0 and officially put the result beyond doubt.
The victory sees Al-Nassr’s remarkable winning streak extend to 20 consecutive matches in all competitions, a run that includes 16 consecutive domestic league victories. The Riyadh giants now sit at the top of the table, eight points ahead of Al-Hilal and 13 points ahead of Al Ahli. Al-Nassr has only four matches remaining in its season, compared to five for its rivals. This means that Al-Hilal and Al Ahli remain mathematically in contention, but catching up with the league leaders will be a monumental task.
Chasing Toney and Quinones in the race for the Golden Boot
Ronaldo’s sustained brilliance has allowed him to reach the 25 or more goal mark in three consecutive league seasons, a feat he has not achieved since his iconic nine years at Real Madrid. His career total now stands at 970 goals for club and country, including 126 in the yellow and blue colors of Al-Nassr.
The veteran striker is also locked in a fierce battle for the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot. He is currently two goals behind Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney, who is second in the scoring charts, and three goals behind Julian Quinones, who leads the table with 28.
The final countdown to glory
For Al Ahli, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow amid what has been a period of success elsewhere. Although they recently defended their elite AFC Champions League title, Matthias Jaissle’s side’s domestic consistency faltered at the most critical time. The gap to the top now seems insurmountable as the matches dry up for the Jeddah team.
With Al-Nassr only needing a handful of points to mathematically secure the championship, the attention of Riyadh fans has already turned to the celebrations. Ronaldo, who has transformed the profile of Saudi football since his arrival, is now on the verge of winning his first major trophy which has eluded him since his arrival in the Middle East.
