Cristiano Ronaldo helps Al-Nassr match River Plate’s 87-year world scoring record

Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Al-Nassr equalled River Plate’s 87-year-old record for scoring in 93 consecutive league matches, moving the Saudi club level with the Argentine side at the top of the global standings.

Al-Nassr hosted Abha at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on Wednesday in the sixth round of the Roshn Saudi League, with Ronaldo again providing the decisive moment for the home side.

The Portugal captain opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. He met a cross delivered by Brazilian player Angelo from a corner and directed a header into the net to extend Al-Nassr’s remarkable run.

According to Thmanyah, the broadcaster of the Saudi league, Ronaldo’s goal meant Al-Nassr had matched the longest scoring sequence recorded in domestic league football anywhere in the world.

“With Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal against Abha, Al-Nassr equal River Plate’s record for the longest scoring streak in league history, with 93 consecutive matches,” the broadcaster said.

The record had belonged to River Plate, who scored in 93 successive league fixtures between 1936 and 1939. That mark remained intact for 87 years before Al-Nassr drew level with it against Abha.

Al-Nassr’s current run began on 8 December 2023, when they beat Al-Riyadh 4-1. Their goal against Abha was therefore the 93rd consecutive Roshn Saudi League match in which they had found the net.

The Riyadh club, known as “the Global One”, now has the chance to claim the record outright when they travel to face Al-Khaleej on Saturday. That match will take place at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam during the seventh round of the competition.

A goal from Ronaldo against Abha also marked his return to scoring, according to the reaction accompanying footage of the match. His contribution ensured Al-Nassr could match one of the longest-standing records in league football, while leaving the club one game away from taking sole possession of it.

River Plate’s run stretched across the late 1930s, but Al-Nassr’s sequence has been built during the current Roshn Saudi League campaign and the period since their victory over Al-Riyadh. The Saudi side’s next match against Al-Khaleej will determine whether the record is shared for only a short time or whether Al-Nassr can establish a new world best.