Brendan Rodgers hands Cristiano Ronaldo major trophy boost despite stunning Ivan Toney strike

Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of winning the Saudi Pro League have received a huge boost thanks to Brendan Rodgers’ Al Qadsiah.

The former Liverpool manager extended his unbeaten stretch since taking charge to 17 games courtesy of a stunning 3-2 win over Ivan Toney’s Al Ahli.

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Since being appointed as Al Qadsiah gaffer in December, Rodgers has guided his new team to an incredible run that has seen them fly up the table.

It had looked as if the unbeaten run was coming to an end this evening with Al Ahli 2-0 up at half time, but two late goals from Turki Al-Anmar and a last-gasp Ibrahim Mohannashi winner ensured Toney and co were dealt a huge title blow.

Even though Toney was on the losing side, he still managed to take an important stride towards the Saudi Pro League’s Golden Boot award.

Tone it down

The England international opened the scoring with a stunning strike in the first half.

A cross came in from the left but it was not cleared properly and eventually fell to Toney on the edge of the 18-yard box.

He took a touch and lasered a strike into the top corner for his 25th league goal and 33rd of the season across all competitions.

The Saudi Pro League has proven to be a very fruitful hunting ground for Toney, and with the World Cup fast approaching, he isn’t harming his chances of a call-up, with no clear Harry Kane backup emerging.

A win here would have taken Al Ahli top of the table over Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr by one point, but the defeat hands the initiative to Al Nassr, who have a game in hand.

When the second goal of the game went in thanks to Valentin Atangana, it looked to be a long way back for Al Qadsiah.

But you can see why Rodgers’ men have been unbeaten for so long because they battled and scrapped their way back into the game with an excellent second half performance.

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Musab Al Juwayr scored midway inside the second half to set up a big finish, and that was provided by Al Anmar in the second minute of stoppage time before Mohannashi netted the winner six minutes later.

The home side threw everything they had at Al Ahli, and the visitors crumbled spectacularly.

It is now advantage Ronaldo and Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League title race.

The last laugh

When Rodgers was Leicester manager and the club were competing at the top of the Premier League, they were linked with a move for Toney.

At the time, the striker was at Brentford in the Championship scoring goal after goal.

The Sun reported that Rodgers was well aware that the team needed a new forward with Jamie Vardy 34.

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The fee being quoted was £25million, but it didn’t happen.

You could argue that was a sliding doors moment as Leicester bought Patson Daka, Toney stayed at Brentford, and the Bees and Foxes are in very different places these days.

And Toney looked to have come back to haunt Rodgers, but in the end, the Northern Irishman got the last laugh.