Two-goalscorer Ighalo outshines Ronaldo in Al Hilal win over Al Nassr
Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo scored both goals to outshine Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in Al Hilal`s 2-0 win over Al Nassr on Tuesday night in Riyadh.
Ighalo scored twice from the penalty spot to secure victory for Al Hilal.
For the first, the former Watford strikers acrobatic effort in the 40th minute resulted in the ball striking the arm of Al Nassr defender Abdulelah Al-Amri.
Ighalo took responsibility and scored for his 17th league goal of the season.
Al Hilal led 1-0 at half-time.
15 minutes into the second half , English referee Micheal Oliver awarded Al Hilal another penalty after winger Michael was fouled by Jaloliddin Masharipov in the box.
Ighalo struck the penalty towards the same direction as the first to double the lead for Al Hilal and bag his 18th league goal of the campaign.
Ronaldo will then be denied twice by the VAR. First in the 76th minute, the former Manchester United man brilliantly controlled a long pass before hammering the ball into the top corner but following a VAR review, it was established that the forward was offside and so the goal was ruled out.
Minutes later, the VAR came to the rescue for Al Hilal again after Referee Oliver initially awarded Al Nassr a penalty for handball after Ronaldo had fired a free-kick into the Al-Hilal wall.
Reviews showed the ball came off a defenders back and so the decision was reversed denying Ronaldo an opportunity from 12-yards.
Ighalo and his Al Hilal teammates held on for a spiting 2-0 win which further dents Al Nassr`s Saudi Arabia Pro League title hopes.
Al Nassr trail table-toppers Al Ittihad with three points having played a game more. Al Hilal on their part have since fallen short in their bid to defend their league crown. The capital side sit in 4th place with 49-points, seven short of Al Ittihad who have further advantage of two outstanding matches.
Ighalo leads the goal-scorers chart with 18-goals followed by Al Nassr`s Talisca and Al Ittihad talisman Abderrazak Hamdallah (16-goals). Ronaldo has scored 11-goals since his mega transfer to Al Nassr and occupies 6th place on the goalscorers chart.
