Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo Keylor Navas Hugo Ekitike Argentina Saudi Arabia Riyadh Salem Football Sporting handball Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo Keylor Navas Hugo Ekitike Argentina Saudi Arabia Riyadh Salem

Ronaldo, Messi roll back the years in nine-goal thriller

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RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi transported fans back in time to the heyday of their storied rivalry, as both forwards got on the scoresheet in an exhibition match on Thursday (Jan 19) before Hugo Ekitike earned 10-man PSG a 5-4 win over the Riyadh Season Team.While the match may not have much significance for the teams involved, football fans around the world got plenty of bang for their buck as a story that has dominated the sport for over a decade appeared to come to an end in a memorable goalfest.In an action-packed first half at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, goals from Messi and Marquinhos were cancelled out by a Ronaldo brace, while PSG's Juan Bernat was sent off for a lunging tackle on Saudi international Salem Al-Dawsari.Both teams kept their foot on the gas in the second half, but Ekitike's 78th-minute strike eventually made the difference on the night."We saw lots of goals in a magnificent stadium with an incredible atmosphere," PSG coach Cristophe Galtier said."This evening, we played in a lively stadium with lots of support.

I enjoyed the way that they honoured the numerous stars that were on the pitch."Decked in a new black and gold kit, PSG made a blistering start to the game, racing into the lead in the third minute thanks to a deft finish from Messi.Played through on goal by Neymar, Messi was able to poke the ball past goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Owais, who he last faced in Saudi Arabia's shock World Cup win over Argentina in November.Despite going behind early, the Riyadh Season Team - a combined Saudi Pro League XI featuring players from Al Nassr and Al Hilal - had numerous chances.Ronaldo was an ever-present threat and won a penalty when goalkeeper Keylor Navas clattered into him.

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