Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a masterclass in finishing, scoring twice—including a breathtaking acrobatic strike—as Al-Nassr secured a crucial Riyadh Derby victory over Al Hilal, ending their winless run against their city rivals in style. The 40-year-old added to his ever-growing legacy, netting career goals number 930 and 931 in a pulsating encounter at the Kingdom Arena on Friday night. His performance not only ensured a third consecutive win for the Knights of Najd but also underscored his enduring brilliance on the grandest stages. Derby delight as Ronaldo's double downs Al-Hilal While Ronaldo ultimately stole the limelight, it was Saudi midfielder Ali Al Hassan who set the tone. In first-half stoppage time, the 28-year-old unleashed an unstoppable drive from the edge of the box after receiving a perfectly weighted pass from Marcelo Brozovic, handing Al-Nassr a deserved lead heading into the break. The second half saw Ronaldo take command. Just two minutes after the restart, he combined seamlessly with Sadio Mane before executing a stunning acrobatic finish to double his side’s advantage. However, Al-Nassr’s grip on the game was momentarily loosened when Ali Al Bulayhi found the net in the 63rd minute, halving the deficit and reigniting Al Hilal’s hopes. The hosts responded with a sustained attacking onslaught, forcing Al-Nassr into a defensive rearguard. Despite the mounting pressure, Stefano Pioli’s men remained resolute, weathering the storm before delivering the final blow. With two minutes remaining, CR7 stepped up to the penalty spot and coolly converted, silencing the home crowd and sealing a long-awaited triumph for his side. This victory marks Al-Nassr’s first win over their city rivals since 2021, when Vincent Aboubakar and Anderson Talisca orchestrated a 2-0 success in the Saudi Pro League. More significantly, it trims the gap between the third-placed Knights of Najd and second-placed Al Hilal, reducing the point deficit by three. Nonetheless, a daunting challenge remains in their pursuit of the title. Runaway leaders Al Ittihad continue to set the pace, sitting comfortably atop the standings with 61 points from 25 matches. For Al-Nassr, this derby triumph provides a crucial momentum shift as they look to mount a late-season charge. Source: YEN.com.gh