Al Nassr vs Al Kholood player ratings – Ronaldo hat-trick guides Al Nassr to victory in Saudi Pro League

Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal during the Saudi Pro League match against Al Kholood. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a perfect second-half hat-trick to guide Al Nassr to a 5-3 win over Al Kholood in their Saudi Pro League clash at the Al Awwal-Park on Thursday.

The result leaves Al Nassr second in the standings, tied on 28 points with leader Al Qadsiah, which has played a game more. Al Kholood, meanwhile, is 10th with 12 points.

Al Kholood opened the scoring with Julien Domingues converting from close range in the 19th minute. But the lead lasted just five minutes as Angelo Gabriel found the bottom right corner from the edge of the box at the other end.

Sadio Mane then put Al Nassr in the lead before Antoin Essomba levelled the score in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.

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The second half belonged to Ronaldo as his compatriot Joao Felix set him up twice in six minutes for easy finishes in front of goal. The hat-trick was completed in the 81st minute after Mane found Ronaldo in a free spot inside the box.

Al Kholood won a penalty in added time, which was converted by Domingues, but it was too late as the home side walked away with all three points.

Al Nassr vs Al Kholood player ratings

Al Nassr

Bento (6.8), Washl (6.7), Simakan (6.4), Martínez (7.1), Yahya (7.1), Al Hamddan (6.9), Al Khaibari (6.7), Angelo (8.0), Mane (8.6), Joao Felix (9.7), Ronaldo (9.7)

Substitutes: Ghareeb (6.1)

Al Kholood

Al Shanqiti (5.4), Solan (4.2), Pinas (6.1), Camara (4.6), Al Shehri (5.8), Al Dosari (7.1), Buckley (7.2), Essomba (7.3), Kortajarena (6.7), da Costa (6.4), Domingues (9.2)

Substitutes: Al Obaid (6.0), Sawaan (6.5), Al Rashdi (6.3), Al Zubaidi (5.6), Guga (6.3)