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Al-Nassr climbed back to the top of the Saudi Pro League with a 5-0 win over Al-Najma at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium. Cristiano Ronaldo struck first from the penalty spot, before Kingsley Coman, Sadio Mane and a double from Inigo Martinez completed a clear victory for Jorge Jesus’ team.
The visitors controlled almost every phase, limiting Al-Najma to three attempts and 0.24 expected goals. Al-Nassr created 16 shots worth 2.81 expected goals, with Ronaldo central again. The Portuguese forward produced 1.17 xG alone, led all players for attempts with four, and registered five touches inside the penalty area.
The tone was set inside seven minutes when Abdullah Al Hawsawi conceded a careless penalty. Ronaldo stepped up and drove the ball beyond the goalkeeper’s reach from the spot. The powerful finish gave Al-Nassr an early cushion and increased pressure on Al-Najma, who were already struggling to escape their defensive third.
Al-Nassr tightened control as the first half progressed and extended the advantage after the half-hour mark. Marcelo Brozovic drilled in a low cross that was initially blocked, yet the loose ball dropped kindly to Coman. The winger reacted quickly, spun in the area and guided a precise finish into the bottom-right corner.
Al-Najma then conceded again shortly before the interval, undone by a long-range effort from Martinez. The defender tried his luck from close to 30 yards, and Victor Braga’s unconventional attempt to deal with the strike failed. The ball flew past the goalkeeper, giving Al-Nassr a 3-0 lead at half-time.
After the restart, Al-Nassr managed the tempo and picked off further chances. Ronaldo turned provider when a neat move ended with a lay-off for Mane, who powered a shot into the top-left corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted. Martinez added a fifth in the 80th minute, looping Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s corner into the far side of the net.
Al-Nassr Saudi Pro League numbers underline Ronaldo impact
Ronaldo’s performance again reflected long-term influence in the Saudi Pro League. The forward now has 95 goals in 98 league appearances, and 26 of those finishes have come from penalties. The figures underline consistent output in front of goal, reinforcing Ronaldo’s status as the main attacking reference for Al-Nassr.
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The result not only restored Al-Nassr to first place but also strengthened confidence going into future league fixtures. A dominant defensive display, combined with clinical finishing from several attackers, underlined squad depth. With Ronaldo still scoring regularly and contributing creatively, Al-Nassr remain firmly in the Saudi Pro League title race.
Story first published: Thursday, February 26, 2026, 2:44 [IST]
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