Al Nassr Drop Points Without Suspended Cristiano Ronaldo Despite Talisca Scoring a Hat-Trick Against Al-Hazm

Originally posted on FanNation Futbol
By Robert Summerscales | Last updated 2/29/24

Al Nassr dropped two precious points in the Saudi Pro League after being held to a remarkable 4-4 draw by Al-Hazm.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed Thursday's home game through suspension after being hit with a one-match ban for making obscene gestures towards Al-Shabab fans last week.

Talisca shone as Al Nassr's lead frontman in Ronaldo's absence by scoring a hat-trick.

But defensively, Al Nassr were simply not good enough. The home side led four times and still failed to win against the team that started the day bottom of the SPL.

After goals from Ahmad Al Mhemaid, Toze and Faiz Selemani had canceled out Talisca's trio of strike, Al Nassr went ahead again when Sadio Mane converted a penalty kick in the 94th minute.

But Paulo Ricardo scored Al-Hazm's fourth equalizer five minutes later.

Ronaldo was riding an emotional roller coaster after one pic.twitter.com/i5xaxD0mtE
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 29, 2024

Thursday's result left Al Nassr six points behind unbeaten Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal, who have played one game fewer.

At the other end of the table, Al-Hazm - who lost 5-1 at home to Al Nassr back in September - rose one place to 17th thanks to Thursday's point.

Talisca has now scored 16 goals in 17 Saudi Pro League matches this season - having netted 20 times in each of the previous two campaigns.

However, Ronaldo is still Al Nassr's leading scorer this term with 22 goals in 20 SPL appearances.

The 39-year-old former Real Madrid forward is likely to be back in action on Monday when Al Nassr take on Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in the first leg of their AFC Champions League quarter-final.