Al-Nassr equals world record
Cristiano Ronaldo scores 979th career goal as Al-Nassr matches world scoring record.
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Key Points
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Al-Nassr were without several key players: Joao Felix was suspended, Kingsley Coman was injured and Abdulelah Al-Amri was rested. Abha employed a deep 5-4-1 formation to contain Ronaldo.
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Abha came close to scoring soon after Ronaldo’s opener, with Alimami Gory hitting the post on a counterattack in the 24th minute. Ronaldo also struck the post in the 38th minute and had further efforts saved by goalkeeper Donovan Leon.
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Al-Nassr controlled much of the match, recording approximately 67% possession and creating the clearer chances against newly promoted Abha.
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Nabil Fekir’s free-kick was his first Saudi Roshn League goal for Abha and echoed a similar set-piece he scored for Lyon against Paris Saint-Germain in January 2018.
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Ronaldo’s pursuit of 1,000 goals could extend beyond league matches to the King’s Cup, AFC Champions League Elite and possible Portugal call-ups; he has also suggested the current campaign could be his final professional season.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 979th career goal as Al-Nassr defeated Abha 2-1 in Riyadh, closing in on an unprecedented 1,000-goal milestone. HITC reported that Ronaldo headed in from a corner kick in the 22nd minute to break the deadlock. The victory moved Al-Nassr level with Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah at the top of the Saudi Pro League with 15 points from six matches.
The win marked a crucial response after Al-Nassr lost 2-1 to Al-Ittihad in their previous fixture. Yahoo Sports noted that Al-Nassr also extended their remarkable scoring streak to 93 consecutive domestic league matches, matching River Plate's world record set between 1936 and 1939. Ronaldo now needs just 21 goals to reach the historic 1,000-goal mark across all competitions.
Ronaldo's Header Breaks Abha's Defensive Shape
Ronaldo opened the scoring with a well-executed header in the 22nd minute after Angelo delivered a corner kick into the box. OloriSuperGal reported that Al-Nassr controlled approximately 67% possession throughout the match. Abha, newly promoted to the Saudi Pro League, set up a deep 5-4-1 formation specifically to contain Ronaldo and limit his opportunities.
Abdullah Al-Hamdan doubled Al-Nassr's lead in the 58th minute to give them breathing room. Despite dominating the match, Ronaldo struck the post in the 38th minute and saw other efforts saved by Abha goalkeeper Donovan Leon. Al-Nassr's attacking efficiency was sharp, but the visitors remained dangerous on the counter.
Fekir's Late Free Kick Tests Al-Nassr's Resolve
Abha pulled one back in the 75th minute when Nabil Fekir converted a free kick past Al-Nassr's keeper. Malaysia Yahoo News noted that Fekir's finish echoed his free-kick goal for Lyon against Paris Saint-Germain in January 2018. The Abha midfielder recreated his familiar technique under pressure, proving that established international talent can deliver in unexpected places.
Al-Nassr's dominance did not prevent late jitters. Abha created dangerous chances after Fekir's goal, including a post-hitting counterattack attempt by Alimami Gory in the 24th minute. Al-Nassr had to defend through nine minutes of added time before securing three crucial points that kept them level with Al-Hilal at the summit.
Ronaldo's 1,000-Goal Path Narrows in Final Season
With 979 goals now official, Ronaldo sits 21 goals away from football's most exclusive milestone. National Accord Newspaper reported that the 41-year-old Portuguese striker faces a compressed timeline to achieve it. He has suggested this campaign could be his final season, concentrating his remaining opportunities into the Saudi Pro League, King's Cup, AFC Champions League Elite and potential Portugal call-ups.
Ronaldo missed several key teammates in this match: Joao Felix was suspended, Kingsley Coman was injured and Abdulelah Al-Amri was rested. Despite these absences, he delivered a decisive performance. Whether Al-Nassr can guide him to the 1,000-goal milestone depends on his fitness, the team's progression in multiple competitions and his final career decision.
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