01 December 2023 , 23:24
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Al-Hilal fans loudly chanted Lionel Messi's name during their resounding 3-0 home win against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.
There was plenty at stake heading into Friday's Riyadh Derby at the King Fahd International Stadium. Al-Nassr sat four points behind leaders Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League title race and couldn't afford to lose to their rivals, who were missing the injured Neymar.
Yet that's exactly what happened. Al-Hilal stormed to a huge victory thanks to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's second-half strike and a brace from former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. Saudi defender Ali Al-Bulaihi was sent off in added-time for Al-Hilal.
Ronaldo went into the game with 18 goals and nine assists to his name this season, but he failed to make an impact on Friday. Al-Hilal fans tried their best to wind him up by chanting the name of Messi, Ronaldo's long-term rival. Messi was a transfer target for Al-Hilal during the previous transfer window before he joined David Beckham's Inter Miami.
Ronaldo reacted at half-time by blowing kisses at the Al-Hilal fans and smiling as he made his way down the tunnel, with the game goalless. Yet the five-time Ballon d'Or winner wasn't smiling at full-time thanks to a brilliant second half performance from the hosts.
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Frustratingly for Ronaldo, he found the net in the 73rd minute when Al-Hilal were just one goal in front. Yet his strike was ruled out for offside following a VAR review. It was a narrow call, with many fans on social media insisting Ronaldo was actually onside.
Al-Nassr boss Luis Castro was furious with the decision. He was even spotted showing the fourth official a replay of the disallowed goal on his phone.
Ronaldo couldn't get the better of Al-Hilal (Getty Images)Do you think Al-Nassr's title chances are over? Let us know in the comments below!
Al-Hilal are now seven points clear of Al-Nassr in second, 11 points clear of Al-Ahli in third and 13 points clear of Al-Ittihad in fourth. It will take a lot to stop Jorge Jesus's side, with those four teams each having 19 Saudi Pro League fixtures remaining this term.
Al-Hilal's form is impressive considering they lost Neymar to a serious knee injury in October. The Brazilian ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty and is unlikely to play at next summer's Copa America in the United States.
Despite Neymar's injury, Al-Hilal still have a very good squad. Milinkovic-Savic and Mitrovic are both Serbia internationals, while former Premier League stars Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly are also on their books. As is Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Although Al-Nassr's title hopes are dwindling, they are going well in the AFC Champions League. They have already qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament and will take on Istiklol in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in their final group match on Tuesday.