Al-Ittihad 2-5 Al Nassr: Cristiano Ronaldo Scores Two Penalty Goals And Fabinho Sent Off
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals from penalty kicks as Al Nassr beat reigning champions Al-Ittihad 5-2 in the Saudi Pro League on Boxing Day.
Al-Ittihad took an early lead courtesy of Abderrazak Hamdallah following an assist by captain Karim Benzema.
Ronaldo leveled from the spot in the 19th minute and Talisca then put Al Nassr ahead before half-time.
Hamdallah equalized for Al-Ittihad six minutes into the second half before a VAR review turned the game firmly in Al Nassr's favor.
The VAR helped on-field referee Polychronis Kostaras reach a verdict that found former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho guilty of striking Otavio in the face with his right hand.
Al-Ittihad midfielder Fabinho (left) conceded a penalty and was sent off after striking Otavio in the face
Saudi Sports Company
Fabinho's punishment was a straight red card and a penalty kick, which Ronaldo converted to put Al Nassr 3-2 up in the 68th minute.
Sadio Mane then scored two goals as Al Nassr made their numerical advantage count.
Al Nassr's victory closed the gap on leaders Al-Hilal to seven points in the SPL title race.
Ronaldo has now scored 53 goals in 2023, making him the leading scorer in world soccer this year - ahead of Harry Kane (52), Kylian Mbappe (52) and Erling Haaland (50).