Cristiano Ronaldo scores brace on return as five-star Al Nassr thrash Al Najma

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates goal for Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates goal for Al NassrReuters / Stringer

Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return ⁠from a month-long injury layoff by scoring twice in the ‌second half as Al Nassr maintained their ‌winning run with a 5-2 ‌victory over bottom side Al Najma ‌in the Saudi Pro League on ‌Friday.

The Portuguese forward, sidelined since February, had missed Al Nassr’s previous two ‌league matches and was also ⁠ruled out ‌of Portugal’s friendlies against Mexico and the ​United States last month.

Al Najma, who have won only once ​in 27 league games, took a surprise lead a minute before ⁠halftime through ​Rakan Al Tulayhi.

Al Nassr responded swiftly, with Abdullah Al Hamdan and Sadio Mane scoring in first-half stoppage time ‌to turn the match around.

The visitors drew level two minutes after the restart when Felippe Cardoso struck, but Al Nassr regained control when Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 56th minute.

The 41-year-old added his second in the 73rd minute ‌before Mane sealed the win ​with a stoppage-time strike.

Al Nassr’s 13th ‌consecutive league victory kept them top of the standings on 70 points, six clear of second-placed Al Hilal, who play Al ⁠Taawoun on Saturday.

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