Anderson Talisca netted a brilliant treble in Cristiano Ronaldo's absence as Al-Nassr were held to a crazy 4-4 draw by relegation-threatened Al-Hazm.
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Talisca scored trebleRonaldo watched on from standsNassr thought they won in injury timeWHAT HAPPENED?
Al-Nassr went into Thursday's game without Ronaldo and were held to a wild draw. Talisca scored from the penalty spot to open the scoring, but Hazm hit back. The hosts, in fact, took the lead on four occasions, and were pegged back each time, with Talisca netting two more in the second half before Sadio Mane scored a penalty of his own in the 97th minute. Hazm's final equaliser came in the ninth minute of injury time, through Paulo Ricardo.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The result is a major boost for Al-Hilal, who are currently leading the Saudi Pro League. Hilal are now six points clear of Ronaldo and Co with a game in hand. It is all the more of a surprise because Hazm are 17th and have just 15 points from 22 games, sitting five points from safety. Nassr, by all accounts, were heavy favourites to record a comfortable win.
GettyDID YOU KNOW?
Talisca's treble means he has now scored 25 goals in 25 games in all competitions this season. Ronaldo, by comparison, has scored 28 goals in 29 outings. Nassr at least know that if the Portugal international is absent, they have a more than capable replacement.
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Nassr will have to pick themselves up and go again ahead of this week's AFC Champions League quarter-final clash with Al Ain.