Spot on Cristiano Ronaldo! Al-Nassr superstar on target and Sadio Mane bags a brace as Saudi Pro League side start 2025 with win over Al-Akhdoud

After a generous winter vacation, Stefano Pioli's men returned to action but took just six minutes to concede their first goal in the new year. Sultan Al-Ghannam made a mess of his header in an attempt to clear his lines, as the ball fell kindly to Savioud Godwin within the six-yard box who made no mistake in tapping home from close range.

After falling behind, the hosts woke from their slumber and started firing on all cylinders. In the 15th minute, Mane thought he had equalised but the goal was ruled out as Nawaf Boushal crossed into the box after the ball had gone out of play. However, Al-Nassr did not have to wait long for the leveller as the Senegalese finally found the back of the net just before the half-hour mark as he poked home Boushal's header.

The former Liverpool forward continued to be in the thick of things as he earned a penalty in the 39th minute after being fouled inside the box by Damion Lowe. Ronaldo stepped up from 12 yards, sent the keeper the wrong way and converted from the spot to put his team in the lead at half-time.

It was one-way traffic in the second half with Al-Nassr dominating possession in the opposition half as they kept pressing for the insurance goal. It was Mane once again who pierced the net in the dying minutes of the match when he skipped past his marker to head home a cross from the right - which sealed the victory for the hosts.

Ronaldo has scored his 917th career goal and is now just 83 goals short of the 1000-goal mark - an ambitious target that the Portuguese has set for himself.

Mane was the brightest player on the pitch and played a crucial role in all three Al-Nassr goals. His second was the best of the lot and it was no surprise when he was named the Player of the Match for his heroics.

With the game evenly poised at 1-1, Lowe had a brain fade moment which prompted him to shove Mane from the back. There was no imminent danger, but his rash actions inside the box left the referee with no option but to point to the spot, allowing Al-Nassr to get their noses in front.

After making a winning start to 2025, Al-Nassr have a week to prepare for their next league game against Al-Taawoun on January 17.