Former Liverpool star Fabinho was sent off for slapping an opponent as Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr thrashed Al-Ittihad 5-2.
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Fabinho sent off for slap vs Al-NassrAl-Nassr beat Al-Ittihad 5-2Ronaldo and Mane score bracesWHAT HAPPENED?
Ronaldo and Sadio Mane both scored braces as Al-Nassr beat Karim Benzema's side 5-2, although Al-Ittihad were right in the game until Fabinho got sent off. With the score locked at 2-2 in the 66th minute, the former Liverpool midfielder stupidly struck Otavio in the face. After a VAR review, the Brazilian was sent off and Al-Nassr were awarded a penalty, which was converted by Ronaldo.
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The Boxing Day fixture was billed as a huge clash between the clubs from Jeddah and Riyadh, and it more than lived up to the billing. The win meant that Al-Nassr stayed seven points behind runaway league leaders Al-Hilal, while Al-Ittihad are already a whopping 22 points off the pace.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO AND FABINHO?
Ronaldo and Al-Nassr will attempt to keep up the pressure on Al-Hilal when they take on Al-Taawoun on Saturday. Al-Ittihad will face strugglers Al-Tai without the help of the suspended Fabinho.