Al Nassr Roars Back to Crush Al Ittihad 5-2: Ronaldo and Mane Star in Boxing Day Thriller :

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: The King Abdullah Sports City witnessed a Boxing Day spectacle as Al Nassr thrashed Al Ittihad 5-2 in a pulsating Saudi Pro League encounter. Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane stole the show, each bagging a brace, while Anderson Talisca chipped in with a crucial goal to secure a dominant victory for the visitors.

Early Jitters for Al Nassr:

The home side, buoyed by their star-studded lineup featuring Karim Benzema, took the lead in the 12th minute through Abderrazak Hamdallah. Al Nassr, however, responded quickly, with Ronaldo equalizing from the penalty spot just seven minutes later. The Portuguese maestro sent the goalkeeper the wrong way after Gustavo Sauer fouled Talisca inside the box.

Talisca Puts Al Nassr Ahead:

Anderson Talisca, the Brazilian playmaker, turned the tide for Al Nassr in the 43rd minute. He latched onto a precise cross from Abdulrahman Ghareeb and volleyed the ball past Marcelo Grohe with aplomb, giving the away team a 2-1 lead at halftime.

Second-Half Onslaught:

There was a significant shift in the events of the second half. Hamdallah restored parity for Al Ittihad in the 51st minute, but their joy was short-lived. A controversial VAR decision in the 68th minute changed the game's complexion. Fabinho, the former Liverpool midfielder, was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box after a challenge on Talisca. Ronaldo stepped up again, coolly converting the penalty to put Al Nassr back in front.

Mane Seals the Win:

With Al Ittihad reduced to ten men after Fabinho's red card, Al Nassr capitalized on their numerical advantage. The Senegalese winger Sadio Mane, who had a relatively quiet game until then, came alive in the final quarter. He first tapped home a cross from Jalolo in the 75th minute before adding another in the 82nd minute to put the game beyond doubt.

Ronaldo Extends Lead:

Ronaldo's brace not only secured the three points for Al Nassr but also extended his lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League's goalscoring charts. He now has 12 goals to his name, two ahead of nearest rival Hamdallah.

A Statement Victory:

This emphatic win sends a strong message to Al Nassr's rivals. With Ronaldo and Mane firing on all cylinders, they are a force to be reckoned with in the Saudi Pro League title race. Al Ittihad, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly if they want to challenge for the top honors.

Match Highlights:

• Al Nassr scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo (2 penalties), Anderson Talisca, Sadio Mane (2)
• Al Ittihad scorers: Abderrazak Hamdallah (2)
• Red card: Fabinho (Al Ittihad)

The win puts Al Nassr in second place in the Saudi Pro League table, seven points behind leaders Al Hilal. However, with Ronaldo and Mane in their ranks, they will be confident of closing the gap and lifting the trophy at the end of the season.

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