Ronaldo celebrates birthday in style, Duran hits double on debut | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of his forties and Jhon Duran netted twice on Roshn Saudi League debut as Al Nassr maintained their title challenge with a 3-0 win against Al Fayha on Friday.

Making his league bow following last week’s headline move from English Premier League side Aston Villa, Duran needed only 22 minutes at Al Awwal Park to get off the mark for his new club. The Colombian, 21, collected the ball outside the Al Fayha penalty area, spun onto his left foot and then drilled a low shot home inside the near post.

Duran then doubled his tally, and Al Nassr’s, 18 minutes from time, when he lifted the ball expertly over visiting goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera from just inside the six-yard box to cap a super first RSL appearance.

Ronaldo, though, would not be upstaged. Two minutes later, the Al Nassr captain, who on Wednesday celebrated his milestone 40th birthday, met Nawaf Bu Washl's pull-back from the right to sweep home a brilliant first-time finish.

It marked Ronaldo’s 16th RSL goal of the season, meaning last term’s golden boot winner reclaimed his two-goal advantage at the top of the 2024-25 scoring charts. Al Ittihad’s Karim Benzema is second, on 14.

The victory, Al Nassr’s fourth on the bounce in the league, saw the Riyadh club move back into third – they are above Al Qadsiah on goal difference – five points off champions Al Hilal and eight back from leaders Al Ittihad. Al Fayha, meanwhile, are 14th.