Cristiano Ronaldo Scores 979th Career Goal as Al Nassr Beats Abha 2-1
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 979th career goal to help Al Nassr secure a 2-1 victory over Abha in the Saudi Pro League at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, according...
- Ronaldo broke the deadlock midway through the first half by rising above his marker to meet Angelo's inswinging corner near the six-yard box, as reported by Gulf News.
- With this latest strike, Ronaldo sits 21 goals away from the 1,000-goal threshold in competitive senior football, according to Gulf News.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 979th career goal to help Al Nassr secure a 2-1 victory over Abha in the Saudi Pro League at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, according to coverage from Gulf News and Sofascore. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward opened the scoring in the 22nd minute on September 9, 2026, moving closer to the 1,000-goal milestone in official senior matches.
Early Breakthrough and Match Flow
Ronaldo broke the deadlock midway through the first half by rising above his marker to meet Angelo’s inswinging corner near the six-yard box, as reported by Gulf News. He powered a downward header toward the far post that struck the woodwork before crossing the line. The finish marked his third league goal of the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League season in five appearances and his 132nd for Al Nassr since joining the club. Al Nassr maintained pressure after halftime and doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when Al Hamddan fired a shot into the far corner, according to Gulf News. Abha mounted a response later in the half, with Nabil Fekir scoring in the 75th minute to narrow the deficit. Al Nassr managed the remaining minutes to close out the 2-1 win and secure all three points at home.
Chasing the 1,000-Goal Landmark
With this latest strike, Ronaldo sits 21 goals away from the 1,000-goal threshold in competitive senior football, according to Gulf News. Sofascore data highlights the forward’s relentless involvement during the 99-minute fixture, noting that he attempted eight shots—four on target, four off target, and one against the woodwork—with an expected goals rating of 0.525. Beyond his finishing, Ronaldo contributed significantly to Al Nassr’s build-up play. Sofascore records show he completed 23 of 30 passes, supplied two key passes, and logged 48 touches while anchoring the attack for the full duration of the match.
Saudi Pro League Standings Impact
The victory lifts Al Nassr level with Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah at the top of the Saudi Pro League table, according to Gulf News, with all three clubs winning five of their opening six matches. Al Nassr bounced back immediately following their 2-1 defeat to Al-Ittihad in Jeddah on Saturday, reasserting their position among the league title contenders.
