Cristiano Ronaldo nets from distance in Al Nassr win over Abha

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Ronaldo hits stunning 38-yard free kick in Al Nassr win

Cristiano Ronaldo hits an incredible free kick from distance as Al Nassr win 2-1 vs. Abha Club in the Saudi Pro League.


Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal at Al Nassr's home ground Mrsool Park in a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Abha on Saturday night.

The visitors had an early goal ruled out for offside before taking the lead in the 26th minute to put Ronaldo's Al Nassr behind as they looked to keep pace with Saudi Pro League leaders Al Ittihad.

With time running out, the hosts were awarded a free kick from 35 yards out and the former Manchester United striker delivered one of his trademark free kicks that beat Abha keeper Davis Epassy to draw Al Nassr level.

Abha's Zakaria Al Sudani was shown a second yellow card with 10 minutes remaining and Al Nassr were awarded a penalty late for handball after a lengthy VAR check.

Instead of looking to grab the winner from the spot, Ronaldo handed the ball to Brazilian Anderson Talisca, who had just returned from injury.

Talisca converted the 86th-minute spot kick for his 14th goal of the season and celebrated with Ronaldo as Al Nassr kept up the pressure on leaders Al-Ittihad.

"This is mutual respect and we are one team and we act like a family," Talisca told the Saudi Sports Company (SSC) TV through an interpreter.

"We all cooperate and the most important thing is the team. In the end, it's all for the benefit of the club. Whether it is me or any other player, the important thing is to score. It is certainly something special from Ronaldo."

Ronaldo had gone three games without a goal for his new team -- and had never scored at home for Al Nassr -- but he made amends after seeing yellow in a 3-1 King's Cup loss to Abha on Tuesday.

The result keeps Al Nassr in second place on 49 points, just one point behind leaders Al Ittihad, who beat their chasing rivals 1-0 in a league match last weekend.