Five times Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo finally got off the mark in the Saudi Pro League with his first goal that rescued Al Nassr in a pulsating 2-2 draw against Al Fateh on Friday night.
The face-saving strike for Ronaldo, who turns 38 on Sunday, came in the 93rd minute through a penalty. He had previously drawn blanks against Al-Ettifaq and Al Ittihad for his new club and his third appearance looked to be heading the same way until the late awarded a penalty right at the end of the game.
Ronaldo and his teammates were trailing at that point, with Al Fateh holding a 2-1 lead since just before the hour mark after also earlier breaking the deadlock.
Presented with the chance to open his account in the Middle East on a platter of gold, the Portugal legend took the safe option from the spot, shaping to aim for a corner but then slotting the ball down the middle once Al Fateh goalkeeper Jacob Rinne had committed to diving.
Before finally redeeming himself and silencing the critics with the well-taken penalty, the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid man had missed two decent chances, in one instance ballooning the ball well over the bar.
The result ensured Al-Nassr remain top of the Saudi Pro League, level on points with Al Shabab, who have played a game more.
Similarly, Al Hilal are two points behind, with Al Ittihad only one further back and with a game in hand. Just four points separate the league’s entire top five. – With agency reports
