Ronaldo scores 67th career hat-trick and moves to 985 goals in Al-Nassr win
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 67th career hat-trick as Al-Nassr beat Al-Kholood 5-3 on Matchday 12 of the Saudi Pro League on Thursday. The treble took the 41-year-old to 985 career goals, 15 short of the 1,000 milestone he is chasing.
Al-Kholood, winless in four, made life hard for the defending champions. Julien Domingues put them ahead in the 16th minute, sliding a finish past Bento after slicing the ball over Mohamed Simakan. Angelo levelled eight minutes later after neat link-up play with Joao Felix.
Sadio Mane put Al-Nassr in front in the 38th minute from a Felix lay-off, but the lead lasted barely any time. Antoine Loic Essomba converted a low Domingues cross, and Des Buckingham’s side went in at 2-2, far from beaten.
Ronaldo had a goal ruled out for offside in the 10th minute and was visibly angry. He answered after the break. In the 66th minute he timed his run to meet a Felix cutback and tapped in the opener of his hat-trick.
Six minutes later he met a lofted Felix cross at the far post with a header. Felix, who created four chances on the night, also played the through ball to Mane that started the move for the third, with Ronaldo arriving in the box to finish.
Those three goals in 15 minutes took the game away from the hosts. Domingues pulled one back from the penalty spot in the final minute of stoppage time, but the 5-3 scoreline was already secure.
Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes. He had six shots, four on target, and recorded 1.97 expected goals. Two offsides and one big chance missed were the only blemishes on an efficient display.
The treble stretches his lead over Lionel Messi in the all-time hat-trick list, with Messi on 62. Ronaldo has reportedly hinted that this may be his final season, which adds urgency to his pursuit of a first 1,000 official goals.
Al-Nassr moved to 28 points from 11 games under Ange Postecoglou, but could not reclaim top spot. Al-Qadsiah, who have played a game more, went to 29 points. Pele’s total is 1,279 per Guinness World Records, though FIFA lists 767.
Elsewhere, Tijjani Reijnders scored a hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Al-Riyadh, with Julian Quinones also on target. Al-Khaleej beat Al-Hazem 4-2 through Joshua King, Boubakar Kouyate and a Musa Barrow brace.