Ronaldo treble completes Al Nassr comeback in eight-goal Al Kholood thriller

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a second-half hat-trick as Al Nassr beat Al Kholood 5-3 in a dramatic Saudi Pro League match on Thursday.

The result took Al Nassr to 28 points, level with leaders Al Qadsiah temporarily, while Al Hilal remained one point behind on 27.

The hosts were forced to work hard for the victory by an Al Kholood side that repeatedly resisted Al Nassr’s attempts to take control. An open contest ultimately turned in Al Nassr’s favour through their attacking quality and their ability to take crucial chances.

Ronaldo appeared to put Al Nassr ahead in the 10th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Al Kholood then stunned their opponents six minutes later when Julian Dominguez put them in front.

Al Nassr responded in the 24th minute, with Brazilian forward Angelo Gabriel restoring parity. The home side continued to apply pressure and moved ahead when Sadio Mane scored in the 38th minute.

Al Kholood refused to allow the game to slip away, however, and Loic Essomba equalised in stoppage time at the end of the first half. The teams went into the interval level at 2-2, while Ronaldo was left frustrated after a second goal of his had also been disallowed for offside.

The Portugal captain eventually made his opportunities count after the break.

Ronaldo put Al Nassr back in front in the 66th minute after receiving an excellent pass from fellow Portugal international Joao Felix. He doubled the advantage six minutes later with a header.

His third goal arrived in the 81st minute, when he finished from a precise assist by Mane to complete his hat-trick and put Al Nassr in control.

Ronaldo’s three goals provided a decisive response to the two first-half efforts that had been ruled out for offside. After seeing his early attempts rejected, he returned after the interval to convert his chances and was celebrated by the Al Nassr supporters.

The victory moved Al Nassr to 28 points in a closely contested title race. Al Qadsiah also had 28 points and were temporarily top, with Al Hilal on 27.

Al Nassr’s success followed a match in which Al Kholood had repeatedly challenged their authority and eight goals were scored. The game began with disallowed strikes and changing momentum before Ronaldo’s second-half finishing secured a dramatic win for the home side.