Al-Nassr made another emphatic statement in the early stages of the 2026/27 Saudi Pro League season, cruising to a convincing 4-0 victory over Al-Riyadh on Friday night.
The result was particularly significant because it marked Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to competitive action for Al-Nassr. The Portuguese superstar began the match on the bench but eventually entered the second half and put the finishing touch on an impressive team performance with the fourth goal.
For Ronaldo, the strike was more than just another goal. It was his 977th career goal, taking him another step closer to the extraordinary 1,000-goal milestone.
The victory also underlined the attacking strength available to Al-Nassr, with Abdulelah Al-Amri, Ângelo Gabriel and João Félix all finding the net before Ronaldo completed the rout.
Al-Nassr Take Control Early
Al-Nassr started the encounter with purpose, controlling possession and looking increasingly dangerous as they pushed Al-Riyadh deeper into their own half.
The breakthrough arrived in the 18th minute when defender Abdulelah Al-Amri gave Al-Nassr the lead.
The goal settled any early nerves and allowed Ange Postecoglou’s side to play with greater confidence. Al-Riyadh struggled to match Al-Nassr’s intensity and found it difficult to create sustained attacking pressure.
Al-Nassr’s defensive organisation also ensured that their opponents had little opportunity to get back into the contest.
Ângelo Doubles the Advantage
The second half began in almost perfect fashion for Al-Nassr.
Just one minute after the restart, Brazilian attacker Ângelo doubled the advantage, making it 2-0 and putting Al-Riyadh under enormous pressure.
The goal effectively changed the complexion of the match. With a two-goal cushion, Al-Nassr were able to attack with greater freedom while Al-Riyadh were forced to take more risks.
Those risks would eventually create even more opportunities for the visitors.
João Félix Continues His Excellent Start
The third goal arrived in the 58th minute, with João Félix once again making his presence felt.
The Portuguese forward has enjoyed an encouraging start to his Al-Nassr career and added another goal to his growing tally.
Félix had already scored in Al-Nassr’s opening league victory against Al-Fateh, when Ronaldo was absent from the squad. His goal against Al-Riyadh therefore continued an impressive beginning to the campaign.
His performance also highlighted the attacking options available to Postecoglou, particularly with Ronaldo now back in the team.
Ronaldo Comes Off the Bench
The biggest moment of the night, however, arrived when Cristiano Ronaldo entered the game from the bench.
The 41-year-old had missed Al-Nassr’s opening league match and watched from the stands as his teammates defeated Al-Fateh 3-0.
His return immediately generated enormous attention, and Ronaldo did not take long to remind everyone of his extraordinary goalscoring instincts.
After coming onto the pitch, the Portuguese forward continued to look dangerous around the penalty area as Al-Nassr maintained control of the match.
Ronaldo Completes the Rout
Ronaldo eventually got his reward in the 83rd minute.
The veteran forward received a brilliant assist from Yahya, controlled the ball inside the attacking area and finished clinically to make it Al-Nassr 4-0 Al-Riyadh.
The goal was Ronaldo’s 977th career goal, leaving him just 23 goals away from the remarkable 1,000-goal landmark.
It was also the perfect way for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to announce his return to competitive football.
Al-Riyadh Unable to Respond
Despite Al-Riyadh’s efforts, there was little they could do to change the outcome after Al-Nassr established a three-goal advantage.
The hosts struggled to cope with Al-Nassr’s movement in the final third, while Postecoglou’s team remained disciplined when possession was lost.
The 4-0 scoreline ultimately reflected Al-Nassr’s superiority, with the visitors displaying greater quality in both attack and defence.
A Perfect Start for Postecoglou
The result gives Ange Postecoglou an impressive start to his Saudi Pro League campaign.
The Australian coach had already overseen a 3-0 victory against Al-Fateh in his first league match in charge, with Ângelo, João Félix and Samu Costa getting on the scoresheet.
With Ronaldo now back in the fold, Postecoglou suddenly has an attacking unit containing Ronaldo, João Félix, Ângelo and other quality forwards — a combination that could make Al-Nassr one of the most dangerous teams in the Saudi Pro League this season.
Reuters had previously noted that Al-Nassr began the new campaign with a strong victory over Al-Fateh before Ronaldo’s return against Al-Riyadh.
Ronaldo’s Race to 1,000 Goals Continues
Ronaldo’s late strike was arguably the headline moment of the night.
At 977 career goals, the Portuguese superstar is now only 23 goals away from reaching 1,000 — a milestone that would represent one of the most extraordinary individual achievements in football history.
The goal also came shortly after Ronaldo indicated that the upcoming season could potentially be the final chapter of his playing career, adding even greater significance to his pursuit of the landmark.
Match Summary
Saudi Pro League
Al-Riyadh 0-4 Al-Nassr
Goals:
18′ — Abdulelah Al-Amri (Al-Nassr)
46′ — Ângelo (Al-Nassr)
58′ — João Félix (Al-Nassr)
83′ — Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr)
Al-Nassr’s comprehensive victory means they maintain their perfect start to the Saudi Pro League season, while Ronaldo’s return adds another major dimension to their title ambitions.
For João Félix, the night was another reminder of his growing importance to the team. For Ronaldo, it was a memorable comeback — and another step towards 1,000 career goals.
With the Portuguese superstar back on the scoresheet and Al-Nassr already looking formidable under Postecoglou, the Saudi Pro League has received an early warning: Al-Nassr are ready to compete for the biggest prizes once again.
