Al Nassr secured another comeback victory, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the attack. This win followed their 3-2 comeback against Al Ettifaq in round 3 of the Pro League, demonstrating a pattern of resilience.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a goal during Al Nassr's 2-1 victory over Taawon in Saudi Pro League round 4 at Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 28/8. Photo: Al Nassr

Al Nassr initially trailed when Bassam Al-Hurayji scored for Al Taawon in the 11th minute. The home side equalized in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, courtesy of a shot from outside the box by Same Costa, a midfielder acquired this summer from Real Mallorca for approximately 10 million USD.

In the second half, Ronaldo completed Al Nassr's comeback. Joao Felix initiated the play with a run down the left wing, sending the ball into the penalty area. The ball then bounced to Mohamed Simakan near the box. Simakan's shot appeared destined for the bottom corner of the goal, but Ronaldo intervened from about 5 m, redirecting the ball into the net and securing the winning goal.

Simakan visibly expressed surprise as Ronaldo ran towards the stands to celebrate. Replays suggested that Simakan's shot would likely have found the bottom corner even without the Portuguese forward's decisive touch.

Ronaldo's goal secured the 2-1 victory.

This marked Ronaldo's 978th career goal and his 131st for Al Nassr across all competitions since he joined the Saudi club in 12/2022. He also became Al Nassr's all-time leading scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 104 goals, surpassing Mohammed Al-Sahlawi's previous record of 103 goals.

After the match, Ronaldo acknowledged Al Nassr's slow start but noted the team's gradual improvement, playing at a higher pace and creating more opportunities, ultimately deserving the win. Regarding his new scoring record in the Pro League, the 41-year-old forward thanked his teammates, emphasizing that the milestone would not have been possible without their support. He also expressed gratitude to the Al Nassr fans, who consistently show their backing. "They always support me and I am very proud of that", Ronaldo stated.

Ronaldo has previously stated his ambitious goal of becoming the first player to reach 1,000 career goals, despite family members repeatedly advising him to consider resting after more than two decades at the pinnacle of football. The 41-year-old forward has indicated that he might retire at the end of this season, coinciding with the expiration of his contract with Al Nassr.

Coach Ange Postecoglou celebrates after the match. Photo: Al Nassr

Meanwhile, Coach Ange Postecoglou attributed Al Nassr's recent struggles to a demanding fixture schedule. The team has played 5 matches in 15 days, leaving insufficient time for recovery, including the recent comeback victory against Al Ettifaq played in high humidity conditions.

"It was a difficult match and a significant challenge, especially with so few rest days. The players gave their best and did what was necessary", Postecoglou commented. The Australian coach admitted that his players found it difficult to achieve optimal physical condition under these circumstances. "I cannot ask more of them than what they have shown".

Nevertheless, Postecoglou praised the players' adaptability in facing continuous challenges. The 61-year-old coach noted that Al Nassr has encountered various difficulties in recent matches, but the team has always found effective solutions.

Regarding team operations, Postecoglou believes that clear role distribution enhances player performance. "Every player knows their role within the team structure. When you have excellent musicians, the conductor's job becomes easier", the former Tottenham coach quipped, using a musical analogy.

The 2-1 victory keeps Al Nassr at the top of the Pro League table with a perfect 12 points. In round 5, Ronaldo and his teammates will visit Al Ittihad on 5/9.

Hong Duy