Saudi Gazette Report

RIYADH — Cristiano Ronaldo netted on Saturday an incredible hat-trick within 25 minutes in the first half of the match, leading Al-Nassr Club to a 3-0 victory over Damac FC. Al-Nassr clinched the top position in the Saudi Professional League by thrashing Damac.

After just 18 minutes into the game, Ronaldo gave his team the lead with a goal from the penalty spot after Ibrahim Al-Nakhli of Damac was penalized for a handball inside the penalty area. The 38-year-old opened the scoring with a ferocious penalty into the top left hand corner.

With a brilliantly executed left-footed drive into the goal, Ronaldo doubled his tally and gave his team a 2-0 lead within the next five minutes.

The third goal came from a skillful run and a switch from Abdulrahman Ghareeb, after which the ball was played to Ronaldo, who easily completed the 62nd hat-trick of his career. Though Ronaldo netted for the fourth time in the second half, it was found offside by VAR.

With Saturday’s superb performance, Ronaldo has contributed to the last ten consecutive goals for victory of Al-Nassr in the league, whether by scoring himself or by making an assist.

Al-Nassr returned to the top of the Saudi Pro League with the victory, two points ahead of Al-Ittihad, who dropped points to Al-Raed at home on Thursday.

Al-Nassr has scored 43 points from 18 matches while Damac is in the 7th position with 22 points. Damac has lost three straight games. During Saturday’s match, most of the fans were apparently supporting the visiting team and Ronaldo at the home ground of Damac.

The Portugal legend had scored four goals against Al-Wehda earlier this month; bringing up his 500th career league goal.

In the game after his dramatic Al-Wehda rout, Ronaldo assisted both goals against Al-Taawoun in a 2-1 win, meaning he now has seven goals and two assists in his last three games.