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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Aymeric Laporte scored late to fire Al-Nassr to victory</li><li>Ronaldo started on the bench for the match</li><li>Was eventually introduced after the hour mark</li></ul>

Cristiano Ronaldo sends defiant message after being benched for Al-Nassr's last-ditch victory over Damac

Saudi Pro League

Al Nassr FC

Al Qadasiya

<p>The Portuguese talisman had been in sensation form ahead of the Saudi Pro League encounter against Damac after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-ae/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-portuguese-hat-trick-al-nassr-saudi-pro-league-win-over-al-tai/blt7173baa5e3c9696d" target="_blank">netting seven goals in three matches</a> including two successive <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-not-slowing-down-hat-trick-two-assists-al-nassr-saudi-pro-league-abha/blt6231a743569b8a70" target="_blank">hat-tricks against Al-Tai and Abha. </a>However, Luis Castro decided to bench Ronaldo on Friday evening against the eighth-ranked side who were winless in their last three matches with two defeats and a draw.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>In the absence of the big guns such as Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic and Sadio Mane, Al-Nassr huffed and puffed but could not break down a gritty Damac defence. Hence Castro was forced to introduce them to tilt the match in their favour. The changes did work in their favour as the Knights of Najd looked more fierce after their inclusion and finally reaped dividends <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/aymeric-laporte-man-city-al-nassr-late-win-damac-saudi-pro-league-title-dropping-cristiano-ronaldo-sadio-mane/blt5dbd8e7ffdfec47d" target="_blank">as Laporte scored in stoppage time </a>from a Brozovic corner to hand his team the victory.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>After the match, Ronaldo took to Instagram and wrote: "Another important win! 💪".</p><p></p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5ZVA8LtVwF/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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WHAT RONALDO SAID

<p>Al-Nassr are chasing Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League championship race but find themselves 12 points behind with just seven matchdays remaining. Ronaldo's message makes it evident that they are not giving up on the chase and are geared up to finish the season on a perfect note by winning the remaining matches. Nonetheless, the Saudi League goes into a brief pause and the 39-year-old will be back in action in the Super Cup against Al-Hilal on Monday evening in their bid to seal a berth in the final.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Cristiano Ronaldo sends defiant message after being benched for Al-Nassr's last-ditch victory over Damac | Goal.com

Cristiano Ronaldo put in a defiant message after he was relegated to the bench for Al-Nassr&apos;s last-ditch victory against Damac.