Al-Taawoun 0-5 Al-Nassr: Joao Felix nets hat-trick on Pro League debut

Joao Felix scored a hat-trick on his Saudi Pro League debut as he led Al-Nassr to a thumping 5-0 opening-day victory over Al-Taawoun on Friday.

Kingsley Coman also marked his league debut with a goal, while Cristiano Ronaldo also got in on the act to send Jorge Jesus' side to the summit of the early standings. 

Al-Nassr needed just seven minutes to open the scoring through Joao Felix, who was picked out by Angelo before firing a low left-footed effort into the far corner. 

However, they were unable to build on their lead in the first-half, but Al-Nassr needed just nine minutes after the interval to get their second of the game. 

Al-Nassr were awarded a penalty following a handball by Waleed Al Ahmad, with Ronaldo stepping up and sending Abdulquddus Atiah the wrong way from 12 yards. 

Coman put the result beyond doubt just over a minute later as he latched on to Al-Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi's long punt forward before looping a header into the net. 

Joao Felix then picked out the top-right corner with a stunning finish in the 67th minute before completing his hat-trick three minutes from time with a tap-in after Ronaldo's deflected cross struck the crossbar and fell kindly into his path. 

Data Debrief: Joao Felix announces his arrival

After finishing 13 points behind champions Al-Ittihad in 2024-25, Al-Nassr laid down a statement of their title ambitions here with a brilliant attacking display. 

Indeed, Al-Nassr ended the game with an expected goals (xG) total of 2.46 from their 21 shots, compared to Al-Taawoun's measly tally of 0.11 from their four shots. 

But it was Joao Felix who stole the show, scoring his three goals from just five attempts, four of which were on target. He also created three chances in the contest, a total only bettered by Angelo (four) for Al-Nassr. 

And, as he always does, Ronaldo had to have his say. Since his Pro League debut, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has the most goal involvements in the competition (91 – 75 goals, 16 assists) and is also the top scorer in this period.