AFCON 2025
Even though Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t score in the victory over Al-Ittihad, the five-time Ballon d’Or d’or winner was instrumental as AL-Nassr knocked out the Saudi League champions to qualify for the final of the Saudi Super Cup.
The two Saudi Pro League heavyweights clashed at the Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday afternoon for a place in the final, but it was Al-Nassr who progressed to the final after a display of resilience and discipline.
Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane gave Al-Nassr an early lead in the semi-final from a sublime left-footed half volley inside the box.
Al Nassr’s lead only lasted six minutes as Dutch striker Steven Bergwijn leveled the scoreline from a rebound in the box.
Unfortunately, the Senegalese became the villain fifteen minutes later as he received a red card for a stamp on Al Hilal’s goalkeeper, Hamed Abdullah Mohammed Yousef.
The first half ended one goal apiece as Al-Nassr played mostly in their half after the equalizer.
Against the run of play, Ronaldo provided the assist to his countryman, Joao Felix, as the new signing put Al-Nassr ahead after the hour mark.
The goal almost didn’t stand, but after a video assistant referee review, Joao Felix got his first goal for his new club.
Moments later, the former Benfica star scored again to put Al-Nassr 3-1 up despite being a man down, but this time, the video assistant referee disallowed the goal for a foul in the buildup.
Al-Nassr defended until the blast of the final whistle as they progressed into the final with a 2-1 win.
