João Félix scored a hat trick and Cristiano Ronaldo added a goal as Al Nassr beat Al Shabab 4-2 on Thursday to extend their Saudi Pro League lead to five points over rivals Al Hilal, according to ESPN.
Félix put Al Nassr two goals ahead inside of 10 minutes with a pair of rapid-fire strikes, but Yannick Carrasco scored later in the first half to cut the visitors’ deficit to 2-1 at the break, the report says.
Ronaldo then scored to restore Al Nassr’s advantage, and Ali Al-Bulayhi’s goal for Al Shabab made for a nervy finish until Félix converted a penalty to seal his hat trick and the win, per the report.
The victory leaves Al Nassr on 82 points from 32 games, five clear of second-place Al Hilal, who still have a game in hand, according to ESPN. The two teams are scheduled to meet on May 12 in a match that the report says could ultimately decide whether Ronaldo secures a first trophy since joining Al Nassr in January of 2023.
Al Nassr and Ronaldo also have an opportunity for silverware in the Asian Champions League Two final against Gamba Osaka on May 16, the report notes. Information from ESPN Global Research was used in this report.
