Cristiano Ronaldo hands out ‘lesson’ to Al-Nassr team-mates after title hopes left in tatters following dismal Al-Raed defeat

Cristiano Ronaldo issued a rallying cry to his team-mates after Al-Nassr’s shock 3-1 defeat to Al-Raed in the Saudi Pro League.

• Al-Nassr lose 3-1 to Al-Raed
• Now 12 points behind Al-Hilal
• Ronaldo issues a rallying cry

Wasteful Cristiano Ronaldo misses several chances but is left frustrated by Al-Nassr’s leaky defence as they lose more ground in Saudi Pro League title race with woeful loss to Al-Raed

A profligate Cristiano Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure as Al-Nassr’s title ambitions effectively went up in smoke after a woeful 3-1 loss to Al-Raed.

• Al-Nassr beaten 3-1 by Al-Raed
• Ronaldo missed several chances during loss
• Trail leaders Al-Hilal by whopping nine points

It was simply not Ronaldo’s night. And it wasn’t Al-Nassr’s, either. The 39-year-old had plenty of opportunities to stamp his authority in the match but it was not meant to be. The Portuguese was not only denied by the woodwork on two occasions but also, quite uncharacteristically, failed to guide his headers into the net, the sort which are usually bread and butter for the striker. But without a shred of doubt, Al-Raed’s victory was well deserved on the night.

Ronaldo & Co were slow off the blocks and the visitors wasted no time in capitalising on their opponent’s lack of initiative. David Ospina in the Nassr goal was a busier custodian in the opening quarter as Julio Tavares and Karim El Berkaoui kept asking questions with their frequent goal attempts. And Al-Raed were eventually rewarded when Tavares set up Berkaoui with a low cross from the left, which the forward slotted home with ease.

The Knights of Najd woke up from their slumber after falling behind and it was their Portuguese talisman who was in the thick of things to bring them on level terms. Marcelo Brozovic floated in a hopeful cross for Ronaldo, who volleyed it the first time. However, his thunderous shot bounced back off the woodwork before falling kindly for Ayman Yayha, who tapped in on the rebound. As the first half progressed, Ronaldo continued to get more involved but the final touch seemed elusive.

WHAT CRISTIANO RONALDO SAID