Cristiano Ronaldo had a night to remember as he scored three goals to help Al-Nassr beat Al-Kholood 5-3 in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The 41-year-old star put on a great show and helped his team secure three important points.
The match took place at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. Both teams had a strong start, and the first half ended with the score at 2-2. Al-Kholood gave Al-Nassr a tough fight, but Ronaldo took charge after the break. He scored all three of his goals in just 15 minutes and helped his team secure the win.
This result was important for Al-Nassr, as the club hopes to stay close to the top of the Saudi Pro League table. Ronaldo once again showed why he remains one of the biggest names in world football.
Al-Kholood Take an Early Lead
Al-Kholood were the first team to score. Julien Domingues found the net in the 16th minute and gave his side a 1-0 lead. This early goal put pressure on Al-Nassr, who had to work hard to get back into the match.
Al-Nassr soon found their answer through Ângelo Gabriel. He scored in the 24th minute after a good pass from João Félix. The goal made it 1-1 and gave the home side fresh hope.
Al-Nassr then took the lead in the 38th minute. Sadio Mané scored the second goal after another fine pass from João Félix. At that point, Al-Nassr had a 2-1 lead and looked set to end the first half ahead.
However, Al-Kholood did not give up. Antoine Essomba scored in first-half stoppage time and made it 2-2. The goal gave Al-Kholood a chance to fight for all three points in the second half.
Ronaldo Changes the Match After Half-Time
The first half had seen four goals, but the best part of the match was yet to come. Ronaldo took control after the break and gave Al-Nassr the lead once again.
In the 66th minute, João Félix sent a good pass into the box. Ronaldo was in the right place at the right time and sent the ball into the net with his left foot. His goal made the score 3-2 in favour of Al-Nassr.
Just six minutes later, Ronaldo struck once again. This time, João Félix sent a fine cross towards him, and the Portuguese star used his head to score. His second goal of the night made it 4-2.
The Al-Kholood defence had no easy answer to Ronaldo’s sharp play. He had now scored twice in six minutes and put his team in a strong position.
A Third Goal Completes Ronaldo’s Hat-Trick
Ronaldo was not done yet. In the 81st minute, he scored his third goal of the match and completed a superb hat-trick.
The move began with Sadio Mané, who helped create the chance. Ronaldo received the ball inside the box and made no mistake with his finish. The goal took Al-Nassr’s lead to 5-2 and made the result almost certain.
It was a special moment for the 41-year-old forward. He had scored with his left foot, his head and his right foot. All three goals came in a short spell of just 15 minutes.
This was Ronaldo’s seventh hat-trick for Al-Nassr since he joined the club in 2023. It was also the 67th hat-trick of his career for club and country. These numbers show his rare ability to score goals at the highest level.
Al-Kholood did score once more before the final whistle. Julien Domingues converted a penalty in the 90th minute plus four minutes of added time. The goal made the final score 5-3, but it was not enough to stop Al-Nassr from claiming the win.
Ronaldo Moves Closer to 1,000 Career Goals
The hat-trick also brought Ronaldo closer to one of the biggest goals in football history. His career total now stands at 985 goals for club and country. He needs only 15 more goals to reach the historic mark of 1,000.
This target has become a major part of his career at this stage. At 41, many players have already left the sport, but Ronaldo continues to score goals and help his team win matches.
His record also shows his success at several major clubs. He has scored 44 hat-tricks for Real Madrid, 10 for Portugal, seven for Al-Nassr, three for Manchester United and three for Juventus.
His latest three-goal show also helped him extend his lead over Lionel Messi in the total career goal count. Ronaldo now has 985 goals, while Messi has 936, a gap of 49 goals.
João Félix Also Has a Great Night
While Ronaldo was the main star, João Félix also played a key role in the victory. He provided four assists during the match and helped his team score at important moments.
His two passes to Ronaldo led to the first and second goals of the hat-trick. He also had a key part in the move that led to Sadio Mané’s goal in the first half.
Sadio Mané was another key player for Al-Nassr. He scored the team’s second goal and later helped create Ronaldo’s third goal. The team effort was just as important as Ronaldo’s superb finish.
What This Victory Means for Al-Nassr
The 5-3 result took Al-Nassr to 28 points after 11 matches in the Saudi Pro League. The club remained second in the table, just behind Al-Qadsiah, who had 29 points after one extra match.
The result gave Al-Nassr an important boost after a tough run of four matches without a win for Al-Kholood. It also showed that the club has the players and quality to fight for the league title.
For Ronaldo, the night was about much more than three goals. It was another step towards the 1,000-goal mark and another reminder of his value to the team.
At 41, he still has the desire to score, the skill to change a match and the drive to reach new records. His three goals against Al-Kholood made the difference on a night when his team needed him most.
Al-Nassr fans will now hope that Ronaldo can keep up this form in the next matches. With just 15 goals left before he reaches 1,000 career goals, the football world will watch his next steps with great interest.
