Al Nassr continued their strong run of form with an entertaining 4-2 win over Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League, as Joao Felix scored a hat-trick and Cristiano Ronaldo added another goal.
The visitors made a dream start and needed only three minutes to take the lead. Joao Felix found space inside the penalty area and calmly guided a low finish into the bottom corner to put Al Nassr ahead.
Al Nassr doubled their advantage just seven minutes later. Abdulrahman Ghareeb delivered an excellent cross into the box and Joao Felix arrived unmarked to head beyond Marcelo Grohe from close range.
Despite their difficult start, Al Shabab gradually improved and began creating chances of their own. Yannick Carrasco looked dangerous whenever he drifted into attacking areas and Hammam Al Hammami also threatened from distance as the home side searched for a route back into the match.
Their pressure paid off in the 30th minute when Carrasco reduced the deficit. The Belgian forward collected the ball in the area and finished into the bottom corner to make it 2-1 and bring the home crowd back into the contest.
Al Shabab nearly levelled before half-time when Carrasco connected with a cross from Yacine Adli, but his powerful header crashed against the crossbar.
The second half began with Al Shabab on the front foot as they pushed for an equaliser. Josh Brownhill forced a smart save from Bento, while Carrasco and Ali Al Azaizeh both went close during a positive spell for the hosts.
But Al Nassr once again showed their cutting edge in attack. In the 75th minute, Mane drove forward before picking out Ronaldo inside the area.
The Portuguese forward made no mistake and fired home from close range to restore the visitors’ two-goal advantage.
Al Shabab refused to give up and reduced the deficit again five minutes later. Ali Al Bulayhi reacted quickest inside the penalty area after a knockdown from Hammam Al Hammami and finished from close range to make it 3-2.
Al Nassr sealed the win deep into stoppage time after a VAR review awarded them a penalty when goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe brought down substitute Abdullah Al Hamdan inside the box.
Joao Felix stepped up and completed his hat-trick with a finish into the top corner to secure a deserved 4-2 win for Al Nassr.
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