Ronaldo Stars as Al-Nassr Beat Al-Hilal in Derby Clash

Al-Nassr secured a significant 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

This win narrows the gap between the two teams, with Al-Nassr now just three points behind second-placed Al-Hilal and seven points adrift of league leaders Al-Ittihad.

Match Summary:

Al-Nassr took the lead in the first half when Ali Al Hassan curled a shot past Al-Hilal's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Shortly after the break, Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the advantage, converting a precise shot following an assist from Sadio Mané.

Al-Hilal responded in the 62nd minute with a close-range header from Ali Al Bulayhi, reducing the deficit to 2-1. However, Ronaldo sealed the victory for Al-Nassr in the 88th minute by converting a penalty awarded after a VAR review for a handball by Mouteb Al-Harbi.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Performance and Milestones:

• First Goals Against Al-Hilal: This match marked Ronaldo's first goals against Al-Hilal since joining Al-Nassr. Prior to this game, he had faced Al-Hilal seven times without a win, recording five losses and two draws.

• Career Goal Tally: With his brace in this match, Ronaldo's career goal tally reached 931. citeturn0news13

• Consistent Scoring Record: This season marks the 15th time in the last 17 years that Ronaldo has scored at least 20 league goals in a single season, bringing his Saudi Pro League goal tally to 21.

Post-Match Reflections:

Reflecting on the victory, Ronaldo emphasized the importance of the team's collective effort, stating, "The team effort was crucial to this win and me scoring is important but it's more important to win." He also highlighted his commitment to contributing to the team's success in both the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League.

This victory not only enhances Al-Nassr's position in the league but also boosts their confidence as they continue to compete for the title and a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite.