Al Nassr v Al Najma

Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo marked his comeback from a four-week injury lay-off with a decisive double as Al-Nassr overcame a stubborn Al-Najma 4-2 to stretch their Saudi Pro League winning streak to 13 matches and open a six-point gap at the summit.

The 41-year-old Portugal captain had not featured since damaging a hamstring in late February, an ailment that required extended treatment in Spain and forced him to sit out two league fixtures as well as Portugal’s friendlies against Mexico and the United States. Any rust was dispelled inside 11 second-half minutes at Al-Awwal Park, where Ronaldo’s brace lifted his season tally to 23 goals in 23 league appearances.

Al-Najma, propping up the table with only one victory from 27 previous outings, stunned the hosts by taking an early lead. Yet the complexion of the contest shifted dramatically in first-half stoppage time: former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané equalised before Abdullah Al Hamdan prodded Al-Nassr in front moments after the restart.

The visitors levelled once more shortly after the interval, but Ronaldo restored order from the penalty spot in the 56th minute. Mané then claimed his second of the night, and Ronaldo followed suit, steering a low finish beyond the goalkeeper to extinguish any lingering doubt. The victory, Al-Nassr’s 13th on the spin, leaves them six points clear of defending champions Al-Hilal, who face Al-Taawoun on Saturday.