In a heated clash in Abu Dhabi on Monday, Al-Nassr’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off late in the game as his side suffered a 2-1 defeat to city rivals Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final.
Ronaldo’s Dismissal
Portugal’s legendary forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, received a straight red card just four minutes from the final whistle for elbowing an opponent. His expulsion came at a crucial moment with his team trailing 2-0, although they managed to net a late consolation goal.
Al-Hilal’s Dominance
Jorge Jesus’ Al-Hilal took the lead in the 62nd minute when Salem Al-Dawsari found the back of the net with a precise finish, capitalizing on a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic flick following a rapid counter-attack. Brazilian forward Malcolm extended their lead in the 72nd minute with a superb header from Michael’s cross, putting Al-Nassr on the back foot.
Late Drama
Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane provided a glimmer of hope for Al-Nassr in stoppage time, converting Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s pass to score a late goal. However, it wasn’t enough to alter the outcome of the match.
Final Showdown
With their victory, Al-Hilal advances to the final where they will aim for a record-extending fourth title. They will face Karim Benzema’s Al-Ittihad, who secured their spot in the final by defeating Al-Wehda 2-1 in the earlier semi-final match on Monday.
Looking Ahead
As the Saudi Super Cup reaches its climax, football enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the thrilling encounter between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad in the title decider on Thursday.
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Credit: Joe Brens