VAR rules out Cristiano Ronaldo strike from near-impossible angle but star bounces back with landmark...

VAR denied Cristiano Ronaldo an outrageous strike against Al Ahli but the Al Nassr superstar made up for it with his 50th for the club.

Al Nassr have travelled to face Saudi Pro League rivals Al Ahli days after crashing out of the AFC Champions League and recorded a 1-0 win thanks to the Portuguese superstar.

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And Ronaldo thought he broke the deadlock against their rivals with an incredible strike from a nearly impossible angle.

However, VAR intervened to chalk off his effort for offside while former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino would also see a goal ruled out for the same reason.

Ronaldo did manage to get on the scoresheet, though, when in the second-half VAR awarded a penalty to Al Nassr.

The 39-year-old was fouled in the box but the incident was missed by the referee.

Only after VAR intervened, having earlier denied Ronaldo a goal in the contest, did a decision come to give a penalty.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star made no mistake, scoring from the penalty spot to give Al Nassr the lead against Al Ahli, who are third in the league.

The five-time Ballon d'Or's strike was the 879th of his career, an incredible stat over a lengthy career drenched in silverware.

It was also his 50th strike for Al Nassr since arriving at the start of 2023, having netted 37 in the league.

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Ronaldo was the trailblazer for high-profile exits from Europe to the Gulf state after his contract at United was ripped up.

Soon, many more followed, including Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Neymar.

Al Ahli had a star-studded side including Firmino, as well as ex-Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez, Newcastle cult hero Allan Saint-Maximin and former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.