Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 100th Saudi Pro League goal and Joao Felix claimed a hat-trick as Al Nassr beat Al Shabab 4-2 on 8 May to extend their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League to five points over rivals Al Hilal, with a potentially title-deciding derby now just days away.
Felix was the driving force from the opening whistle, giving Al Nassr a two-goal advantage inside the first 10 minutes with a brace of rapid-fire strikes that threatened to put the game beyond Al Shabab before it had barely begun. But Yannick Carrasco pulled one back later in the first half to give the visitors a lifeline, and Al Nassr went into the interval with a 2-1 lead that was far less comfortable than it had looked.
The 41-year-old forward restored Al Nassr’s two-goal cushion with 15 minutes remaining, converting a Sadio Mane cross at the near post to make it 3-1. It was the 971st goal of his career, his 26th league goal of the season, and his 100th in the Saudi Pro League, a landmark that underlined once again his extraordinary longevity and continued productivity at the highest level. He now has 127 goals in all competitions for Al Nassr since joining the club in January 2023.
“Ronaldo is always dangerous going forward and we saw that again today,” said Al Nassr coach Jorge Jesus.
Al Shabab refused to capitulate. Ali Al-Bulayhi pulled a goal back to make it 3-2 and set up a nervous closing period that threatened to deny Al Nassr the dominant victory their performance had deserved. Felix, however, had the final word, stepping up to convert a penalty and complete his hat-trick, putting the result beyond doubt and giving the scoreline a more comfortable look than the closing stages had suggested.
The victory moves Al Nassr onto 82 points from 32 games, five clear of Al Hilal, who still have a game in hand. The two sides meet on 12 May in a derby that could prove decisive in determining whether Ronaldo wins his first trophy since joining the club. The 41-year-old also has a chance at silverware on 16 May, when Al Nassr face Gamba Osaka in the Asian Champions League Two final.
Jesus was measured but clear-eyed about what lies ahead. “Now we have a derby match against our rival, which is a difficult encounter. We are fully aware of its importance, and we are dealing with it with complete focus as we know that small details could decide the result,” he said
