Al Nassr Beat Damac 2-1 in Saudi Pro League as Cristiano Ronaldo Scores 960th Career Goal

Al Nassr secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Damac at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha on January 21, 2026, keeping pressure on Saudi Pro League Leaders Al Hilal. Cristiano Ronaldo once again made history, scoring the 960th goal of his career, guiding the Riyadh club to a hard-fought win.

The result lifted Al Nassr to second place with 37 points from 16 matches, four points behind Al Hilal, who still hold a game in hand. For Damac, the defeat deepened their relegation concerns as they remain 15th in the standings. 

Match Overview: Al Nassr Triumphs in Abha

SUGGESTED READ: Al Nassr Ends Winless Run with 3-2 Victory Over Al Shabab

First Half Action: Ghareeb’s Early Strike Sets the Tone

Al Nassr took early control on enemy ground. Just five minutes into the game, Abdulrahman Ghareeb scored the first goal after Kingsley Coman delivered a precise pass from the right flank. Ghareeb beat his marker with a composed touch before slotting a low finish past the Damac goalkeeper Kewin. 

The visitors dominated the ball in the first half and had several chances to increase their lead. João Félix played a key role in Al Nassr’s attacks but missed two big opportunities. He sent one shot over the goal and hit the post with another. 

Despite appeals for a possible handball penalty when the ball seemed to hit a Damac defender’s arm, the referee waved it off. Even with control of most of the game, the Riyadh team entered halftime with a 1-0 lead.

Ronaldo’s Historic Moment: Goal Number 960

The Portuguese legend extended Al Nassr’s lead in the second half, adding another moment to his remarkable football career. Joao Félix, linking up once again with his fellow countryman, sent a precise through-ball that set Ronaldo free. 

Near the edge of the box, the 40-year-old lofted the ball over the oncoming Kewin with precision, registering his 16th goal in this Saudi Pro League season and the 960th of his professional career. Ronaldo’s sharp finishing highlighted his skill, keeping him as the top scorer in the competition. 

This achievement brings him 40 goals nearer to his goal of scoring 1,000 career goals, which no footballer has reached. He has found the net in nine out of his last ten away games for Al Nassr, showing impressive form even as he nears his 41st birthday.

Second Half Developments: Damac’s Spirited Response

Damac, despite being the Saudi Pro League’s lowest-scoring side this season, refused to fall back. In the 68th minute, they scored a goal.

Abdullah Al Qahtani swung a corner from the right, finding Jamal Harkass completely unmarked at the near post. The defender glanced a header past Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento, scoring only Damac’s sixth home goal of the season, igniting hope of an unlikely comeback.

The goal created a tense final 20 minutes. Al Nassr’s defensive organization, which had appeared comfortable, suddenly looked vulnerable. Ronaldo believed he had sealed the victory late in the match, only for the offside flag to deny him a second goal.

Al Nassr managed the closing stages effectively, holding onto their 2-1 lead to secure all three points in a hard-fought victory. 

Goal Breakdown: Three Strikes Define the Contest

Notable Performances: Félix Orchestrates, Coman Creates

João Félix stood out as a key creative player for Al Nassr even though he did not score in the match. The Portuguese midfielder hit the crossbar, set up Ronaldo’s historic goal, and kept Damac’s defense under pressure. His record of 15 goals and three assists this season highlights how vital he is to Jorge Jesus’ attacking plans.

Kingsley Coman notched his sixth assist of the season, living up to his role as Al Nassr’s top playmaker. His early pass to Ghareeb helped secure the win. On the right wing, his constant movement and effort kept Damac’s defense stretched throughout the game.

Abdulrahman Ghareeb repaid the coach’s trust by scoring in back-to-back games, something he hadn’t done since April 2024. The Saudi winger’s sharp goal within the opening five minutes gave Al Nassr an ideal start to dominate the game.

Tactical Turning Points: Jesus’ Setup Proves Decisive

Jorge Jesus used the 4-2-3-1 setup, his go-to formation focusing on fast breaks and aggressive pressing. The Portuguese coach placed Marcelo Brozovic in the defensive midfield role, which gave Félix the ability to roam and link up with Ronaldo. This approach helped Al Nassr control the ball and find gaps in Damac’s defense.

Al Nassr produced 1.54 expected goals with 14 shots, demonstrating their ability to create stronger opportunities compared to Damac, who managed 0.59 xG from eight shots. Despite this, they had defensive problems, like leaving Harkass unmarked for a header, showing the need to tighten up their defense as they aim to catch Al Hilal in the title race.

Records and Milestones: Ronaldo Closes in on 1,000

Ronaldo’s 960th career goal represents another extraordinary achievement in an unprecedented career. The Portuguese star has netted 116 goals for Al Nassr in various competitions since arriving in January 2023. This achievement breaks Abderrazak Hamdallah’s old club record of 115 goals. 

With 16 goals in the Saudi Pro League this season, he holds a two-goal lead over Ivan Toney in the race for the Golden Boot. The 40-year-old’s pursuit of 1,000 career goals remains on track, requiring 40 additional strikes to reach the historic milestone. 

Ronaldo has registered 25 combined goals and assists for Al Nassr this season, averaging 0.88 goals per game since arriving in Saudi Arabia, an improvement on his 0.72 career average.

Al Nassr’s victory extended their remarkable record against Aseer-based teams to 15 league matches without defeat, including six consecutive victories by an aggregate scoreline of 18-4. Damac’s eighth successive loss to Al Nassr compounds their relegation worries.

League Table Impact: Pressure Mounts on Al Hilal

Al Nassr closed the gap to Al Hilal at the top to just four points, but playing one extra game makes this less significant. On January 22, 2026, Al Hilal took on Al Fayha, and a win pushed their lead back to seven points. The team at the top of the table has now strung together 12 straight league wins and seems set to defend its title.

Damac, on the other hand, sits in 15th place with 11 points, two points above the relegation zone. Their poor goal count hints at a tough fight to stay up in the matches ahead.

What’s Next: Title Race Enters Critical Phase

Al Nassr will play again on January 26, 2026, hosting Al Taawoun at home. This match gives them a chance to keep up the chase against Al Hilal before an away game against Al Kholood on January 30. Their schedule also includes an AFC Champions League Two round of 16 clash against Arkadag in February.

Damac confronts a relegation battle clash against Al Hazem on January 24, 2026. The struggling side desperately requires points to escape the bottom three, having managed just one victory from their last 19 matches across all competitions.

For comprehensive Saudi Pro League coverage, visit Jeetwin Sports.