Ronaldo Hat-Trick Pushes Al Nassr Past Al Kholood as 1000th Career Goal Approaches

Key Takeaways:

• Cristiano Ronaldo netted a hat-trick against Al Kholood, bringing his career tally to 985 goals
• Al Nassr secured a 5-3 victory in the 12th round of the Saudi Super league
• Joao Felix contributed four assists as Al Nassr temporarily moved level with Al Qadsiah at the top with 28 points

Match Analysis

On Thursday, Al Nassr triumphed 5-3 over Al Kholood in an action-packed Saudi league encounter, with Cristiano Ronaldo the standout performer. Joao Felix and Ronaldo once again spearheaded the host’s attack, while Samu Costa was absent through suspension.

The early minutes saw a potential breakthrough for Ronaldo, whose effort in the 10th minute was chalked off for offside following Abdullah Al Hamdan’s pass. Instead, it was Al Kholood who drew first blood as Abdulrahmen Al Dawsari set up Julien Domingues to open the scoring in the 16th minute.

Al Nassr reacted swiftly. In the 24th minute, Joao Felix combined with Angelo, who coolly slotted home to restore parity. The hosts continued to build pressure, and in the 38th minute Joao Felix fortuitously assisted Sadio Mane to put Al Nassr 2-1 ahead.

🔥🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo reaches 985 career goals after scoring a hat-trick for Al Nassr! 🤖

15 to go for 1.000 career goals. https://t.co/KfBQVi2Go0

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 29, 2026

As the first half drew to a close, Al Kholood struck again. Deep into stoppage time, Julien Domingues turned provider, teeing up Loic Essomba for the equaliser at 2-2. Mere moments before the interval, Ronaldo had the ball in the net once more, only for the effort to be disallowed.

Ronaldo’s Hat-Trick Fuels Al Nassr’s Charge

The second period began with Joao Felix being booked and narrowly missing with a stylish backheel attempt after clever play from Mane. The visitors suffered a setback in the 54th minute, with Shaquille Pinas forced off through injury and replaced by Abdulrahman Al Obaid.

The turning point arrived in the 66th minute when Ronaldo finally registered his 983rd career goal, capitalising on a lay-off from Joao Felix to push Al Nassr into a 3-2 lead. The Portuguese star struck again in the 72nd minute, heading home at the far post to make it 984 career goals, once more assisted by Joao Felix, who brought his tally to four assists for the night.

In the 81st minute, Ronaldo rounded off a rapid hat-trick, finishing off a move initiated by a superb Joao Felix pass to Mane. The Senegalese could not beat Yousef in goal but squared it for Ronaldo to complete his treble, advancing his all-time total to 985 and leaving him just 15 shy of his 1000th goal.

Late Drama and League Standings

There was late drama in added time as Al Nassr conceded a penalty following VAR intervention. Julien Domingues dispatched the spot-kick for his second of the evening, but Al Nassr’s victory remained secure.

This win elevated Al Nassr to 28 points, temporarily sending them to the summit of the table on level terms with Al Qadsiah. Al Hilal sit just behind on 27 points, holding a game in hand.