Ronaldo magic rescues Al-Nassr and keeps title race alive

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo saved his best goal since arriving in Saudi Arabia for when Al-Nassr needed it most on Tuesday, scoring the decisive strike in a dramatic 3-2 victory against Al-Shabab.

The Yellows found themselves 2-0 down in this crucial Riyadh Derby that they had to win and a spectacular second half strike from the five-time Ballon D’Or winner did just that.

The result also keeps alive Ronaldo’s dreams of adding the Roshn Saudi League title to the dozens of trophies already won in a glittering career as it prevented leaders Al-Ittihad from celebrating a first league championship since 2009.

At the same time, Al-Ittihad defeated bottom, and now relegated, team Al-Batin 1-0 to stay three points clear with two games of the season remaining. With a better head-to-head record, goal difference does not separate teams level on points, the Jeddah giants can lift the trophy with a win against Al-Feiha on Saturday. The pressure will now be on however thanks to a determined performance from Al-Nassr to defeat their local rivals.

Al-Shabab, in third place, started brightly but the hosts soon started to get on top and before the 20-minute mark, there were two penalty appeals. It was Al-Shabab who got the spot kick midway through the first half however as a corner hit Luiz Gustavo’s left arm and, after a consultation with the pitchside monitor, up stepped Cristian Guanca While his fellow Argentine Agustin Rossi got a hand to the low shot, he could not keep it out and the Whites were ahead. 

It was a goal cheered wildly down in Jeddah as the leaders quickly made their presence felt at home to Al-Batin. After nine minutes, Ahmed Sharahili swung over a perfect cross from the left and the in-form Romarinho climbed high