Blab Sports
Ronaldos 979th Goal Helps Al-Nassr Beat Abha 2-1, Keeping Title Hopes Alive
Al‑Nassr edged Abha 2‑1 at Al Awwal Park on Saturday, September 9, 2026, in the sixth round of the Saudi Pro League. The win was the club’s first defeat of the season and left the team level on 15 points with Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah at the summit of the table.
The match opened with Cristiano Ronaldo striking the ball in the 22nd minute. He rose above a defender to meet a corner from winger Angelo Gabriel, sending a header that rebounded off the post before finding the net. The goal marked Ronaldo’s 979th senior‑career tally, according to league statistics, and kept his chase of the 1,000‑goal milestone alive.
Al‑Nassr’s advantage doubled in the 58th minute when Abdullah Al‑Hamdan curled a right‑footed shot into the top corner after a series of passes that bypassed Abha’s defense. The goal came in a game where Abha was missing Joao Felix, who was suspended, and Kingsley Coman, who was injured.
Abha fought back in the second half. In the 75th minute, midfielder Nabil Fekir converted a free‑kick from the left flank, shooting directly on target and catching goalkeeper Bento off‑guard. The strike gave the visitors a glimmer of hope.
The result cemented Al‑Nassr’s place in the title conversation. With 15 points, the club is tied with Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah. The match was the first time Al‑Nassr had lost a league game this season, a fact the coaching staff highlighted as a reminder of the competitive nature of the SPL.
The win also impacted the league’s Golden Boot race. Ronaldo’s header moved him into a group of players tied on three goals, including Ruben Neves, Tijjani Reijnders, Alexandre Lacazette, Angelo, Darwin Nunez, and Moussa Dembele. Ivan Toney of Al Ahli remains the outright leader with eight goals, having scored a brace in a 3‑2 defeat to Al Qadsiah earlier in the week.
Sergej Milinkovic‑Savic, George Ilenikhena, and Iker Kortajarena are tied for second place on four goals each. The standings illustrate the depth of competition for the top‑scorer title, with several players still able to alter the leaderboard in the remaining matches.
Al‑Nassr’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, did not issue a statement after the match, but the club’s official website confirmed the final score and highlighted the team’s resilience after the first loss. The front office emphasized that the victory keeps the squad’s momentum heading into the next round.
Abha’s coaching staff acknowledged the effort of their players, noting that the team showed determination in the second half. The club’s official communications stated that the result was a learning experience and that the players would focus on upcoming fixtures.
The Saudi Pro League schedule continues to run on a regular basis, with the next round of matches slated for the following week. Al‑Nassr will face a league opponent in their next outing, while Abha will look to rebound in their subsequent match.
In summary, Ronaldo’s 979th goal was a key moment in a match that saw Al‑Nassr maintain their position at the summit of the SPL standings. The club’s title hopes remain intact, and the league’s top‑scorer race remains open as the season progresses.
The match opened with Cristiano Ronaldo striking the ball in the 22nd minute. He rose above a defender to meet a corner from winger Angelo Gabriel, sending a header that rebounded off the post before finding the net. The goal marked Ronaldo’s 979th senior‑career tally, according to league statistics, and kept his chase of the 1,000‑goal milestone alive.
Al‑Nassr’s advantage doubled in the 58th minute when Abdullah Al‑Hamdan curled a right‑footed shot into the top corner after a series of passes that bypassed Abha’s defense. The goal came in a game where Abha was missing Joao Felix, who was suspended, and Kingsley Coman, who was injured.
Abha fought back in the second half. In the 75th minute, midfielder Nabil Fekir converted a free‑kick from the left flank, shooting directly on target and catching goalkeeper Bento off‑guard. The strike gave the visitors a glimmer of hope.
The result cemented Al‑Nassr’s place in the title conversation. With 15 points, the club is tied with Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah. The match was the first time Al‑Nassr had lost a league game this season, a fact the coaching staff highlighted as a reminder of the competitive nature of the SPL.
The win also impacted the league’s Golden Boot race. Ronaldo’s header moved him into a group of players tied on three goals, including Ruben Neves, Tijjani Reijnders, Alexandre Lacazette, Angelo, Darwin Nunez, and Moussa Dembele. Ivan Toney of Al Ahli remains the outright leader with eight goals, having scored a brace in a 3‑2 defeat to Al Qadsiah earlier in the week.
Sergej Milinkovic‑Savic, George Ilenikhena, and Iker Kortajarena are tied for second place on four goals each. The standings illustrate the depth of competition for the top‑scorer title, with several players still able to alter the leaderboard in the remaining matches.
Al‑Nassr’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, did not issue a statement after the match, but the club’s official website confirmed the final score and highlighted the team’s resilience after the first loss. The front office emphasized that the victory keeps the squad’s momentum heading into the next round.
Abha’s coaching staff acknowledged the effort of their players, noting that the team showed determination in the second half. The club’s official communications stated that the result was a learning experience and that the players would focus on upcoming fixtures.
The Saudi Pro League schedule continues to run on a regular basis, with the next round of matches slated for the following week. Al‑Nassr will face a league opponent in their next outing, while Abha will look to rebound in their subsequent match.
In summary, Ronaldo’s 979th goal was a key moment in a match that saw Al‑Nassr maintain their position at the summit of the SPL standings. The club’s title hopes remain intact, and the league’s top‑scorer race remains open as the season progresses.
