After a game of poker, a hat-trick. After a false start, Cristiano Ronaldo accelerated and is now unstoppable in Saudi Arabia.
This afternoon, the Portuguese star scored three goals in 45 minutes and ruled in the first half a 3-0 victory over Damac Club, which isolates Al-Nassr at the top of the Saudi League.
A penalty without a chance at 17 metres, a fine left-footed goal at 23 metres and a precious touch, again with his right foot, on a deadly counter-attack, at 45 metres, reach CR7 to score your 62nd hat-trick (three goals or more) of your career.
Without Talisca and Betty Martinez, both injured this week and a long layover ahead of them, Ronaldo looked helpless up front. It was nothing more than appearances. Ronaldo seems to have adapted to the new challenge and is now walking the line. If there are three goals in the first half, you’ve reached poker in the second half, as well as providing assists that didn’t result in a goal by mere chance.
At 68 metres, the referee disallowed Cristiano’s quarter by a centimeter offside. At 89 metres, a tense free kick was hit by Masharipov, who headed it away and the ball stopped on the crossbar. A party that ended with the final whistle and a well-deserved Man of the Match award.
Three goals, three points, and most of the 13,434 spectators watched the match at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Stadium in delirium. Ronaldo ruled in Abha as in Riyadh. He is a popular phenomenon and remains a football favorite at the age of 38. No wonder every game across Arabia has a resounding echo of ‘SIII’.
Watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick:
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