Cristiano Ronaldo Delivers Iconic Bicycle Kick Masterclass as Al-Nassr Thrash Al-Khaleej 4-1 in Saudi Pro League
Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning bicycle kick in stoppage time capped Al-Nassr’s 4-1 demolition of Al-Khaleej on Nov. 23, 2025, in the Saudi Pro League. His 954th career goal, alongside strikes from Joao Felix, Wesley, and Sadio Mane, extends their unbeaten run—watch highlights, stats, and reactions.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy Father Time, unleashing a breathtaking bicycle kick in the dying moments to seal Al-Nassr’s commanding 4-1 victory over Al-Khaleej in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday, November 23, 2025. The Portuguese icon’s acrobatic finish—his ninth league goal this season and 954th overall—crowned a dominant display at Al-Awwal Park, extending Al-Nassr’s perfect start to nine wins from nine matches and widening their lead at the top to four points over Al-Hilal.
Fresh from international duty with Portugal, where he helped secure World Cup qualification despite a recent red card against Ireland, Ronaldo entered as a second-half substitute and transformed the game. His strike, a fierce volley from Nawaf Boushal’s cross in the 96th minute, not only buried Al-Khaleej but reignited the eternal GOAT debate, drawing comparisons to his legendary 2018 Juventus overhead kick.
The win catapults Al-Nassr to 27 points, with Ronaldo and Joao Felix level on 10 goals apiece—prolific form that’s yielded 26 league strikes already this campaign.
First-Half Fireworks: Felix and Wesley Set the Tone
Al-Nassr wasted no time asserting dominance. In the 39th minute, Joao Felix—on loan from Barcelona—ghosted into the box to slot home Nawaf Boushal’s cutback, opening the scoring with his 10th goal of the season. Three minutes later, Wesley Gassova doubled the lead with a clinical finish after Felix’s high press won possession in the danger zone, showcasing Al-Nassr’s ruthless transition play under coach Jorge Jesus.
Al-Khaleej, sixth in the table, struggled to respond, managing just one shot on target before halftime. Ronaldo, benched after international exertions, watched from the sidelines as his side controlled 62% possession and peppered the visitors’ goal with 12 attempts.
- Half-Time Stats: Al-Nassr shots: 12 (5 on target); Possession: 62%; xG: 1.8 vs. 0.4.
- Key Moment: Felix’s goal marked his third in three games, cementing his joint-top-scorer status with Ronaldo.
Second-Half Drama: Mane’s Response and Ronaldo’s Magic
Al-Khaleej pulled one back almost immediately after the restart, with Murad Al-Hawsawi rifling in from 20 yards in the 47th minute to ignite a brief resurgence. The visitors pressed, forcing Nawaf Al-Aqidi into three fine saves, but Al-Nassr’s defense—bolstered by Iñigo Martinez and Mohamed Simakan—held firm.
Enter Ronaldo in the 60th minute, replacing Otavio. The game-changer struck in the 77th: Sadio Mane restored the two-goal cushion, latching onto Marcelo Brozovic’s through-ball for a composed finish—his fifth league goal. Al-Khaleej’s hopes evaporated further when Fábio Martins was sent off for a second yellow in the 90th, but Ronaldo saved the headlines.
In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Boushal whipped in a cross from the right. Ronaldo, unmarked at the back post, leaped with balletic precision, scissoring a volley past the helpless Zaid Al-Khateeb—too fierce to parry. The stadium erupted, with Ronaldo wheeling away in celebration, arms outstretched in his trademark “Siuuu!” roar.
- Full-Time Stats: Al-Nassr shots: 18 (8 on target); Possession: 58%; xG: 2.9 vs. 1.1; Fouls: 11-14.
- Goal Timeline: Felix (39′), Wesley (42′), Al-Hawsawi (47′), Mane (77′), Ronaldo (90+6′).
Ronaldo’s Enduring Brilliance: 954 Goals and Counting
This was Ronaldo’s ninth SPL goal in eight games, pushing his Al-Nassr tally to 85 in 87 appearances—a near-goal-per-game clip since joining in 2023. Globally, it’s his 954th career strike, edging him closer to 1,000—trailing only Lionel Messi’s 896, though Ronaldo leads in combined goals and assists (1,300).
The bicycle kick evoked his Champions League classics, with Jesus hailing it as “unbelievable” post-match. Ronaldo, ever humble, credited the team: “We play for the badge—levels up.” Fans on social media dubbed it “GOAT mode,” with #RonaldoBicycle trending worldwide (over 500K posts).
Al-Nassr’s ninth straight win—scoring 30 goals, conceding four—positions them as title favorites, with eyes on derbies against Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s stoppage-time stunner isn’t just a goal—it’s a statement of defiance against age, cementing his SPL dominance and Al-Nassr’s unstoppable run. As the Knights of the East chase glory, CR7 remains the eternal spark. With 27 points and Messi in the rearview, the Saudi throne beckons. Watch the highlights—pure magic. (Word count: 612)
Sources: ESPN, ABC News, Ummid.com, Sportstar, FOX Sports, Mathrubhumi, World Soccer Talk, Goal.com, Gulf News (November 23-24, 2025). For video, see ESPN highlights.