Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed his status as the world’s top scorer in 2023 following Al-Nassr’s 4-1 victory over Al-Taawoun on Saturday.
With the winter break on the horizon, the Riyadh giants were looking to end the year in style with a trip to face in-form Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League’s 19th round.
Despite having momentum after a four-game winning streak, Al-Nassr conceded in the opening minutes as the hosts were awarded an early penalty.
Nawaf Al-Aqidi pulled off a stunning save to deny Al-Taawoun’s Aschraf El Mahdioui from the spot but the latter was still able to score on the rebound.
It didn’t take long for Al-Nassr to find the leveller as Marcelo Brozovic finished off a sensational move from Al-Nassr orchestrated by Cristiano Ronaldo and Anderson Talisca after 26 minutes.
The goals kept coming for the visitors as Real Madrid target Aymeric Laporte found the back of the net nine minutes later with a thumping header from a corner delivery to put his side ahead.
In the second half, it was time for Otavio to get in on the act after taking advantage of a huge blunder by goalscorer El Mahdioui to add a third in the 50th minute.
Ronaldo’s customary goal had to wait until stoppage time as the 38-year-old got on the end of a Seko Fofana cross to put the game to bed and secure the points.
His goal was his 54th in 2023 and the Portuguese is now set to end the year as the world’s top scorer with more strikes than Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane.