Al Nassr vs Al Fateh: Joao Felix hits hat-trick, Ronaldo inches closer to 1000 as Faris Najd strengthen hold on 1st position

Joao Felix was the star of the show, as he scored a hat-trick to help Al Nassr beat Al-Fateh and maintain their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.

The former Atletico Madrid man opened the scoring early in the first half. The next goals did not come until Ronaldo's goal on the hour mark. Felix then scored on either side of Kingsley Coman's 75th-minute goal in the 5-1 rout.

After two and a half years with the Faris Najd, in which Ronaldo failed to land major success, the Saudi outfit went all out in the summer to improve his support cast, bringing in the likes of Felix and Coman. 

The plan is working excellently so far, and the victory against Al Fateh provides the latest evidence. Felix opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a shot outside the box; old boy Sadio Mane provided the assist. 

Al Fateh launched a staunch resistance and prevented another breach in the first half. They pulled one back less than 10 minutes after the halftime break from Algerian midfielder Sofiane Bendekba.

Ronaldo was presented with a chance to restore Al Nassr’s lead from the penalty spot, but his attempt was saved by Nawaf Al-Aqidi. He made amends shortly after, scoring from Mane’s second assist on the night, to take his career tally to 949, 51 short of the coveted millennium milestone. 

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner turned provider in the 68th minute, setting up Felix's second on the night, before Coman fired Al Nassr's fourth to compound their lead. 

Felix added the cherry on top in the 79th minute, grabbing the match ball and the headlines, as Al Nassr beat Fateh to stay four points above second-placed Al-Hilal.