Ronaldo Hat-Trick Lifts Al Nassr to 5-3 Win Over Al Kholood

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in 15 second-half minutes as Al Nassr beat Al Kholood 5-3 in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday. The Ronaldo hat-trick Al Nassr win came after the home side had twice lost the lead, and it took the 40-year-old forward to 985 career goals.

Al Kholood took an early lead in Riyadh through Julien Domingues in the 16th minute. Al Nassr answered eight minutes later, when Angelo found the net, and Sadio Mane put the hosts ahead just before half-time. Joao Felix provided the assists for both goals.

The visitors refused to fade. Antoine Loic Essomba Bikoula equalised in stoppage time at the end of the first half, sending the teams into the break level at 2-2. Ronaldo had already seen two first-half efforts ruled out, so the second half became his stage.

Ronaldo hat-trick Al Nassr: three goals in 15 minutes

Ronaldo restored Al Nassr’s lead in the 66th minute with a close-range finish. He doubled his tally six minutes later with a powerful header. He completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute, converting a pass from Mane. Domingues scored a late penalty for Al Kholood, but Al Nassr held on for the win.

After the match, Ronaldo wrote: “Great win, great team performance. Happy to help with a hat-trick!” The result kept Ange Postecoglou’s side second in the league standings. Leaders Al Qadsiah stayed ahead after thrashing Al Riyadh 6-0, a match in which Tijjani Reijnders also scored a hat-trick.

Ronaldo hat-trick Al Nassr: 15 goals from 1,000

The hat-trick leaves Ronaldo 15 goals short of 1,000 in his career. That gap is now the number to watch in every Al Nassr match, and it gives the closing weeks of the season a clear subplot beyond the title race.

The milestone has already produced debate this season. Feature Pakistan reported on a disputed goal in Ronaldo’s count, which shows how closely each strike is now checked. At 985, the arithmetic is simple: five more hat-tricks would take him to 1,000, and the landmark is now within sight.

Ronaldo’s longevity is the other story here. At 40, he scored three times in a quarter of an hour against a side that had twice fought back to level terms. The header for his second goal and the calm finish for his third showed a forward still able to decide a match in short bursts.

For Al Nassr, the win matters for the title race as much as for the record books. Dropping points at home after leading twice would have hurt their chase of Al Qadsiah. Instead, Ronaldo’s burst turned a draw into a win, and kept the pressure on the leaders.

Frequently asked questions

How many goals has Ronaldo scored in his career?

Ronaldo has scored 985 career goals after his hat-trick against Al Kholood, leaving him 15 short of 1,000.

What was the score between Al Nassr and Al Kholood?

Al Nassr beat Al Kholood 5-3. Ronaldo scored in the 66th, 72nd and 81st minutes after the match had stood at 2-2 at half-time.

Who leads the Saudi Pro League?

Al Qadsiah lead the standings, ahead of second-placed Al Nassr, after beating Al Riyadh 6-0 on the same day.

How old is Cristiano Ronaldo?

Ronaldo is 40 years old. He plays for Al Nassr under head coach Ange Postecoglou.