ABHA, Saudi Arabia, 22 January (H.S.): Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 16th Saudi Pro League goal of the 2025-26 season—career tally 960—early in the second half to propel Al-Nassr to a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Damac at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Stadium late Wednesday, January 21, keeping title pressure on leaders Al-Hilal four points ahead ahead of their Thursday Al-Fayha clash.
Abdulrahman Ghareeb opened scoring in the fifth minute, latching onto Kingsley Coman's right-wing cutback deflection for a composed 12-yard left-footed feint into the bottom-left corner past goalkeeper Kévin; Ronaldo doubled the lead around the 50th minute, clinically chipping João Félix's precise through-ball from a tight angle over the custodian.
Damac halved the deficit in the 68th minute via Jamal Harkass' unmarked near-post header from a right-sided corner, but Al-Nassr—edging expected goals 1.54 to 0.59 from 14 shots versus eight—repelled late Damac threats, including Riyadh Sharahili's offside-disallowed strike and Bento's two first-half saves.
Post four points from five prior outings and two road defeats, the win elevates Al-Nassr temporarily second; winless-in-two Damac (second victory awaited) cling to 15th, one point above relegation, as Ronaldo eyes 1,000 milestone with 25 goals/assists.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
