Cristiano Ronaldo: Games Where He Scored 2 Free Kick Goals After Accomplishing Rare Feat vs Abha

Cristiano Ronaldo: Games Where He Scored 2 Free Kick Goals After Accomplishing Rare Feat vs Abha

Joel Reyes
April 3, 2024 at 6:25 AM
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C. Ronaldo
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Saudi Arabia
Manchester United logo
Manchester United
England
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37
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  • Cristiano Ronaldo recorded a free-kick double against Abha on Tuesday night
  • Those two goals were part of the Al-Nassr forward's 65th career hat-trick
  • He scored two free-kick goals in a game with Manchester United and Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo can't stop scoring goals for Al-Nassr.

He recorded his 65th career hat-trick in style on Tuesday, scoring two free-kick goals against Abha.

Sports Brief looks at the games where Ronaldo netted twice via the set piece.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Stoke City, Villarreal, FC Zurich, Abha
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal vs. Abha; Al-Nassr star attempts a free kick. Images: Yasser Bakhsh.
Source: Getty Images

Games where Ronaldo scored 2 free-kick goals

1. Man Utd vs. Stoke City (November 2008)

Ronaldo first accomplished that rare feat in the Premier League game against Stoke City on November 15, 2008, scoring two free-kick goals in Manchester United's 5-0 victory.

The Portuguese star smashed home a sensational free-kick from 25 yards to open the scoring in the third minute and grab his 100th goal for the Red Devils.

He then completed the rout in the 89th minute, curling his free kick around a seven-man wall and past Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, per The Guardian.

2. FC Zurich vs. Real Madrid (September 2009)

Ronaldo achieved that feat for the first time in Real Madrid colours on September 16, 2009, netting two sublime free-kick goals in their 5-2 win over FC Zurich in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

He opened the scoring for the visitors with a free kick from the edge of the box in the 27th minute, curling his effort in at the near post, per Bleacher Report.

He scored his second free-kick goal in the 89th minute, blasting his attempt straight at Zurich goalkeeper Leoni, who couldn't handle the velocity of the strike.

3. Villarreal vs. Real Madrid (May 2011)

Ronaldo recorded his third career free-kick double in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Villarreal in La Liga on May 15, 2011.

He gave Real a 2-0 lead with a free-kick goal in the 22nd minute. He added another from a set piece deep into second-half stoppage time to seal the victory for the visitors.

With that brace, Ronaldo equaled the record for most La Liga goals in a single season.

4. Abha vs. Al-Nassr (April 2024)

Ronaldo waited 13 years before adding another free-kick double to his collection, achieving the rare feat in the game against Abha in the Saudi Pro League on Tuesday night.

He opened the scoring in the 11th minute, blasting a thunderous free-kick from the edge of the box. He doubled his tally in the 21st minute, netting another free-kick goal.

Abha goalkeeper Tatarusanu was helpless as he watched Ronaldo's shot attempt float into the back of the net. Those two goals were part of a first-half hat-trick from Ronaldo, who led Al-Nassr to a comfortable 8-0 win.

Ronaldo and Al-Nassr not slowing down

Sports Brief recently reported on Ronaldo's statement after the win vs. Abha.

He wrote on social media that they are not slowing down.

He has now scored 29 goals in the Saudi Pro League this season.

Authors
Joel Reyes photo
Joel Reyes
Joel Reyes is a sports editor at Sportsbrief.com with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines. He has eight years of work experience in sports writing.