Cristiano Ronaldo is timeless! Legendary forward nets first-half hat trick and sets up two more as Al-Nassr destroy Abha in Saudi Pro League clash

Cristiano Ronaldo hammered his 65th career hat-trick in the first half as Al-Nassr ran riot against Abha on Tuesday night. There was a clear gulf in quality between the two teams as the visitors dominated proceedings right from the off. The Portuguese star scored the first of his two free-kick goals in the 11th minute after Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem was brought down right on the edge of the box. He took a low free-kick along the ground which soured past a hapless Ciprian Tatarusanu. 10 minutes later Ronaldo converted yet another set-piece, this time from nearly 20 yards away as his clinical strike went through the wall and into the top corner.

The 39-year-old then turned provider as Sadio Mane got his name on the score sheet with a simple tap-in. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star completed his hat-trick from a quick counter-attack in the 42nd minute, cooly lobbing the ball over Tatarusanu who came off his line. Just minutes before the half-time whistle blew, the Portuguese completed a second assist as Al-Sulaiheem netted the team's fifth goal.

The veteran star was subbed off at half-time but Al-Nassr remained too hot to handle for a struggling Abha side as they pumped in three more goals to complete the rout. Abdulrahman Ghareeb and a brace from Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa rounded out an 8-0 victory and a memorable outing for the away side.

Ronaldo was the undisputed MVP of the game despite spending just 45 minutes on the pitch. That was still enough time for him to score three times and set up another two goals. The 39-year-old converted two set-pieces and scored the third goal in clinical fashion, in what a truly dominant forward display.

Abha goalkeeper Tatarusanu was at fault for the first goal as he made a poor attempt to stop Ronaldo' low free-kick from the edge of the box. Overall, though, it must be said that the entire team failed to turn up as they helplessly surrendered in front of a much stronger Al-Nassr side.

Luis Castro's side will next be in action on Friday as they take on Damac in another away league encounter.