Riyadh: In a sensational Arab Club Champions Cup encounter, Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his goal-scoring prowess once again, leading Al Nassr to a resounding 4-1 victory over US Monastir at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh on Tuesday. The match witnessed Ronaldo’s historic 145th headed goal, surpassing Gerd Muller’s previous record of 144 goals and making him the highest-ever headed goal scorer in football history.
Al Nassr, in pursuit of their first win in the tournament this season after a goalless draw in their previous match against Al-Shabab, began the game on the offensive. Spearheaded by former Inter Milan stalwart Marcelo Brozovic and ex-Lens captain Seko Fofana, Al Nassr showed determination from the outset.
The breakthrough moment came in the 42nd minute, when Brozovic orchestrated an attack down the left flank. His well-placed long ball found the feet of Abdulrahman Ghareeb, who set up Anderson Talisca to open the scoring. However, an unfortunate defensive lapse by Al Nassr’s Ali Lajami, trying to clear the ball, resulted in an own goal, equalising the match six minutes after the hour mark.
With the game finely poised, it was none other than Cristiano Ronaldo who rose to the occasion. In the 74th minute, the football maestro displayed his clinical ability with a commanding header, finding the back of the net and breaking Gerd Muller’s long-standing record for the highest number of headed goals in football history. The stadium erupted in celebration as the Portuguese star achieved yet another milestone in his illustrious career, taking his total career goal tally to an astonishing 839.
Following Ronaldo’s record-breaking strike, the momentum firmly shifted to Al Nassr’s side. Abdulelah Al-Amri and Abdulaziz Saud Al Elewai capitalised on the newfound momentum, scoring two goals in quick succession in the dying minutes of the match, securing a convincing 4-1 win for Al Nassr.
The result catapulted Al Nassr to the top of their group in the King Salman Club Cup, level on points with Al Shabab but ahead on goal difference. For Ronaldo’s side, the victory served as a much-needed boost, particularly after some challenging encounters against European teams, including two heavy defeats against Benfica and Celta Vigo.
In contrast, US Monastir endured a disappointing outing, falling to the bottom of the table in their group without a single point to their name. They will be looking to salvage pride in their final group-stage match against Al Shabab.
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