Cristiano Ronaldo nets his FIFTIETH goal of 2023 as Portuguese star is on target for Al-Nassr in emphatic 5-2 Saudi King Cup quarter-finals win – with Sadio Mane also on scoresheet
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 50th goal of the year and 26th of the season
- Sadio Mane was also on the scoresheet while Aymeric Laporte started the match
- Away with Erik ten Hag! Man United's poor performances depend on the players – not the manager. Listen to why It all starts
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 50th goal of the year to help Al-Nassr advance to the semi-finals of the Saudi King Cup with a 5–2 win over Al-Shabab.
Al-Nassr's talisman scored his 26th of the season as his team swept aside the hosts, with Sadio Mane on the scoresheet for the first time since September.
Ronaldo received the ball in the penalty area in the 74th minute of the match and took his chance with aplomb, firing a shot past the onrushing goalkeeper into the far corner.
It keeps Al-Nassr's hopes of winning the competition alive, having not lifted the trophy since 1990.
They are one of the remaining favorites in the tournament alongside Neymar's Al-Hilal and if they win it would be Ronaldo's second piece of silverware at Al-Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 50th goal of the year to keep Al-Nassr's hopes alive in the Saudi King Cup
Former Premier League stars Ronaldo, Mane and Aymeric Laporte all started for Al-Nassr.
Seko Fofana opened the scoring after 17 minutes, before Carlos restored parity seven minutes later.
Al-Nassr overpowered the hosts in the first half thanks to goals from Mane and Abdulrahman Ghareeb, with the latter coming just before half-time.
Ronaldo sealed the victory with a fine goal in the 74th minute before Al-Shabab grabbed a consolation goal through Hattan Bahebri in the 90th minute.
But Al-Nassr had the last laugh. Mohammed Maran scored their fifth goal six minutes after injury time.
The ex-Manchester United man is currently the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 16 goals in 15 games.
Al-Nassr is second in the Saudi Pro League, but seven points behind Al-Hilal.
Winning the King Cup seals qualification for the Asian Champions League, although a finish in the top three of the competition would be enough to secure a place.
Ronaldo is chasing his second trophy in Asia after winning the Arab Club Champions Cup
Sadio Mane was finally back on the scoresheet after firing blanks since September