Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 953rd goal as Al-Nassr claimed an eighth successive win to start the Saudi Pro League season with a 3-1 victory at NEOM.

NEOM lost striker Alexandre Lacazette to injury in the first half, and their fortunes worsened in the second.

First Angelo Gabriel gave Al-Nassr the lead when he fired in from the edge of the area in the 47th minute, before Ahmed Abdo saw a goal disallowed at the other end for offside.

Luciano Rodriguez saw red nine minutes later, the striker sent off for elbowing Nawaf Boushal off the ball.

Ronaldo makes NEOM pay the penalty

The 10 men fell further behind when Ronaldo tucked home his ninth goal of the Pro League season, converting from the penalty spot after Joao Felix was fouled by Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Doucoure pushed Joao Felix to the turf in an effort to prevent him pouncing on a rebound after Luís Maximiano had denied Ronaldo from close range following a poor pass from Nathan Zeze.

Ronaldo made no mistake from 12 yards, though Al-Nassr did not quite put the game to bed.

Al-Nassr move three points clear

Abdo made amends for straying offside earlier, confidently converting after Al-Nassr were caught out by a routine long ball forward.

However, Joao Felix ensured there was no late comeback, rattling home a superb long-range strike in the 89th minute after Ali Al-Asmari had cheaply given the ball away.

The goal was Joao Felix’s 10th of what has been a superb season for the former Atletico Madrid man following his move from Chelsea.

The win moves Al-Nassr three points clear of Al-Taawoun at the top of the Pro League table.