Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr failed to keep pace at the top of the Saudi Pro League on Saturday, being held to a 1-1 draw away at Al Khaleej, while Al Hilal delivered the standout result of Matchday 7, demolishing Al Taawoun 6-0 behind a Gabriel Martinelli hat-trick to surge to the top of the table.
Al Nassr found themselves behind early at Al Khaleej Club Stadium and had difficulty regaining momentum for extended periods, with Ronaldo himself missing a straightforward headed chance that could have leveled the score much sooner.
A substitute ultimately proved the difference, as Abdullah Al-Hamdan curled in a right-footed strike from outside the box in the 72nd minute, barely moments after entering the pitch, to secure the 1-1 draw and spare Al Nassr what would have been their second league defeat of the season.
While Ronaldo’s side struggled for results, Martinelli made a powerful statement in Buraidah. The Brazilian winger, who joined Al Hilal from Arsenal, scored his first goals for the club in spectacular fashion, finding the net in the 18th, 43rd and 50th minutes to record his first hat-trick since departing the Premier League.
Ollie Watkins contributed a brace on either side of Martinelli’s treble, and substitute Sultan Mandash sealed the rout in the 75th minute as Al Hilal cruised to a commanding 6-0 victory. The result propelled Al Hilal to 18 points from seven matches, one point ahead of Al Ittihad, while Al Nassr’s draw leaves them in third place with 16 points.
Ronaldo Misses Chance to Close Gap in the Scoring Race
Beyond surrendering crucial points in the battle for the Saudi Pro League title, Cristiano Ronaldo also missed a prime opportunity to get on the scoresheet.
Facing an Al Khaleej side that had yet to win all season, the fixture appeared ripe for Ronaldo to add to his tally and narrow the gap at the top of the league’s scoring charts.
Instead, the Portuguese forward departed empty-handed and remains on three goals through five appearances — still well behind the pace set by Ivan Toney, who leads the standings with 10 goals in seven matches for Al Ahli.