Cristiano Ronaldo kept his team perfect with a surprise heel flick for the winning goal. The 41-year-old star scored in the 50th minute to beat Al Taawoun 2-1 on Friday. This move secured Al Nassr’s fourth straight win and kept them at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.
The Comeback Was No Fluke
Al Nassr faced a tough test at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on Friday, August 28. The visitors took an early lead when Bassam Al-Hurayji scored in the 11th minute, putting the home side in a hole. Per Yahoo Sports, the team had to fight back from behind to claim victory. They did not panic, and they did not fold under pressure.
Samú Costa found the equalizer just before halftime, hitting the ball first time off a pass from Sadio Mané. This set the stage for the second half, where the match turned into a showcase of experience. According to ESPN Top, the Portuguese international played the full 90 minutes despite the early deficit. His presence on the field gave the team the stability they needed to survive the first half.
The winning goal came from a chaotic moment near the goal line. A falling Sadio Mané deflected the ball, sending it rolling to Mohamed Simakan, who then kicked it toward the net. Ronaldo, positioned closely, used his heel to flick the ball into the net. This strike marked his 978th career goal, a number that shows his incredible longevity in the sport.
Four Wins and a Perfect Start
The result was a 2-1 victory that extended Al Nassr’s perfect record to four games. The team now sits at the top of the table with 12 points after four rounds. This is a strong start for any squad, but it is especially impressive given the high expectations for a team led by a global icon like Ronaldo.
Before this match, the team had already shown resilience. According to ESPN Top, they came back from a 2-0 halftime deficit in a previous game against Al Ettifaq to win 3-2. That game saw their goalkeeper Bento sent off, yet they still managed to snatch all three points in the final 16 minutes. This pattern of late-game heroics suggests a team that refuses to lose, regardless of the scoreline.
Ronaldo’s personal stats continue to impress even as he ages. This was his second goal for Al Nassr this season. He recently donned bleach blond hair when he returned to the pitch, showing he is still willing to try new looks. His marriage to Georgina Rodríguez just days before the season started also adds a layer of personal stability to his professional life.
The League Table Reflects the Effort
The final standings show a clear gap between the leaders and the rest of the pack. Al Nassr moved to 12 points, while Al-Taawoun stayed on two points in 15th place. This 10-point difference after just four games highlights the dominance of the Riyadh club so far.
Replays indicated the strike would have hit the bottom corner as Ronaldo celebrated by wheeling away, leaving Simakan in disbelief. The Portuguese star notched his 978th career goal in the second period, a milestone that few players in history have reached. According to ESPN Top, the goal was a result of great work down the left wing by João Félix, whose cut-back found Simakan on the edge of the box.
This win proves that Al Nassr is not just relying on one player, but the team is functioning as a unit. They had to come back from behind once again, following their remarkable 3-2 triumph against Al Ettifaq on Tuesday, as noted by ESPN Top. The ability to win close games is often the difference between a good team and a great one.
Al Taawoun remains in 15th place with only two points, a stark contrast to their opponents. The visitors went behind early and could not find a way back into the game after the equalizer. Their struggle to score against a well-organized defense shows how tough the Saudi Pro League can be for teams that are not prepared for the pace.
Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Or wins are a testament to his skill, but this latest goal adds to his legacy in a new league. He is still scoring, still winning, and still leading his team to victory. The fact that he is 41 and playing in a different country does not seem to slow him down.
