Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning goal as reigning champions Al Nassr defeated Al Taawoun on Friday night to maintain their perfect start to the Saudi Pro League season.
The 41-year-old Portuguese forward struck five minutes after the restart to secure victory, returning to the starting line-up after being substituted at half-time during his side's midweek fixture.
Second-half winner and milestone goal
Al Taawoun had taken the lead in the first half when Mohammed Bassam Al Hurayji put the visiting side ahead. Al Nassr responded in first-half stoppage time through Samu Costa, leaving the teams level at 1-1 at the break.
Five minutes into the second half, Ronaldo flicked home from close range, turning a goalbound effort from teammate Mohamed Simakan into the roof of the net. Simakan appeared shocked by the intervention, as his shot was already heading into the bottom corner.
Ronaldo watched the final ten minutes from the bench after being taken off again by manager Ange Postecoglou, who is continuing to manage the forward's fitness in the opening stages of the campaign.
The winner took Ronaldo's career tally to 978 goals as he continues his pursuit of reaching 1,000 goals before retiring. The strike also made him Al Nassr's all-time leading scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 104 goals.
Record goalscorer for Al Nassr
Ronaldo's overall total of 131 goals in all competitions moves him into joint second place on the club's list of all-time top scorers. He remains behind legendary striker Majed Abdullah, who holds the record with 259 goals.
"I'm very, very happy," Ronaldo said post-match. "It's a great achievement, but it's not just Cristiano's achievement. I have to say thank you to my teammates, because without them, this wouldn't have been possible. But I'm also very happy for the fans."
The match offered a swift recovery for the team captain following Tuesday's dramatic victory against rivals Al Ettifaq. Ronaldo was substituted at half-time with Al Nassr trailing 2-0, leaving the pitch while angrily gesturing and removing his armband.
Midweek comeback and league standings
Al Nassr staged a remarkable fightback without Ronaldo on Tuesday, recovering from two goals down to win 3-2. Postecoglou insisted after that match that attention should remain on the team's achievement rather than the decision to withdraw his captain.
"I think there’s a bigger story today, and that is that ten men of Al Nassr were unbelievable. That's all you should write about today, everything else doesn't matter," Postecoglou said on Tuesday. "It doesn't matter what team because if you see ten men in those conditions for so long, 2-0 down to come back, that's the only story today."
Al Nassr currently sit top of the Saudi Pro League table after winning all four of their opening league matches. The Riyadh club also won their opening King's Cup fixture earlier this month as they maintain an unbeaten start across all competitions.
