Mane super hat-trick has Al Nassr still believing | OneFootball

If Al Nassr were intent on putting behind them a series of unwelcome results, and in the process jolting their bid for a top-two finish, then they signalled that on Monday.

And in some style, too.

The Riyadh side had endured a difficult couple of weeks in which they’d lost their past two; the first, a semi-final defeat in the AFC Champions League Elite and then, last time out, an injury-time reverse to Roshn Saudi League leaders Al Ittihad.

Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Ittihad counterpart Karim Benzema

The latter, where Al Nassr led 2-0 at half-time only to eventually lose 3-2, effectively ruled last season’s runners-up out of the title race.

So, understandably, objectives recalibrated. Sitting fifth heading into Monday’s trip to Al Okhdood, Al Nassr resolved to get back to winning ways and, in the process, jump back into third. To keep on the coattails of Capital Derby rivals, and reigning RSL champions, Al Hilal in second.

They did just that. And how.

Al Nassr triumphed 9-0 in Najran, matching the biggest margin of victory in this season’s top flight. And they did it without captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who was rested.

Looking for someone to fill the considerable void left by the 2024-25 RSL’s top scorer, Sadio Mane stepped up. The Senegalese forward netted four of Al Nassr’s nine; a “super hat-trick” on a super night for Stefano Pioli’s men.

With three rounds remaining, Al Nassr keep Al Hilal in their sights, five points separating the capital clubs after the latter's 4-0 victory at home to Al Orobah, also on Monday.

Even given the past couple of wearisome weeks, there’s still much to keep Mane and Co motivated.

“First of all, I’m really happy about the performance of the team today, we played great tonight,” Mane said. “In the beginning, we started the game well, we scored almost all our chances. That made the game easier.

“Now we just have to focus, take it game by game, and to push and try to close the gap.”

Clearly, a recent chapter closed, as well. Onwards and, hopefully for Al Nassr, upwards.

“I usually don’t like to talk about the previous matches, but we didn’t do as well as we could, unfortunately,” Mane said. “And today we played well, created many chances; all the chances we created, we scored. That was the key tonight.”

As noted, Al Hilal remain in pole for second - al least. At least, because their win against Al Orobah keeps alive the RSL title race: the champions lie six points back from Al Ittihad, meaning the Jeddah club have to wait until Thursday for the opportunity to seal the championship.