WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo hammers brilliant hattrick in first half as Al Nassr thrash Abha 8-0

Al Nassr delivered a dominant performance yesterday as they dismantled Abha 8-0 at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in a game of the Saudi Pro League. Leading the charge was the unstoppable Cristiano Ronaldo, who bagged an impressive hat trick.

Ronaldo wasted no time etching his name on the scoresheet. Early on, he unleashed a powerful free-kick from just outside the penalty area. This marked a continuation of Ronaldo's red-hot form, solidifying his reputation as a difference-maker in the competition. Abha, struggling throughout the season and currently sitting second last in the standings, offered little resistance. Ronaldo wasn't done yet, scoring two more goals in the first half itself. His clinical finishing further exposed Abha's defensive frailties. Sadio Mane and Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem also scored one goal each before halftime was called.

Watch the video here:

🇵🇹 @Cristiano with a first-half hat trick for Al Nassr 😳⚽#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/OpUPBXlFK6

— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) April 2, 2024

The second half continued in the same vein. Al Nassr picked up where they left off, with Abdulrahman Ghareeb extending their lead shortly after the restart. The onslaught continued unabated. Al Nassr's hunger for goals remained insatiable. Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa ended up scoring the final two goals as Al-Nassr completed an 8-0 pounding of Abha.

Al-Nassr reinstates title aspirations

This dominant win showcases Al Nassr's title aspirations. They are currently in a strong position to challenge for the championship. Ronaldo has been a gem for them as his goalscoring prowess and leadership qualities have significantly bolstered the team's attacking threat. Not only is he inspiring his teammates, but he's also captivating fans and raising the profile of Saudi Arabian football on the global stage.

Abha, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to turn their season around. They face a crucial relegation battle in the remaining matches, and their defensive vulnerabilities will need to be addressed if they are to survive in the top tier. Al-Nassr's next game is against Damac while Abhi will face Al Fateh next.