Al Nassr’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal against Al Hilal during the King Salman Club Cup final. AFP
Doha, Qatar: Global football sensation Cristiano Ronaldo netted a decisive double yesterday to propel Al Nassr to a 2-1 victory over Al Hilal in the King Salman Club Cup finale.
At the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo emerged as the pivotal figure in a contest initially dominated by Al Hilal from kick-off.
The Portuguese superstar sealed the deal with an electrifying header, expertly capitalising on a rebound in the 98th minute. His skillful maneuver confounded Al Hilal’s goalkeeper Al Owais, who had miscalculated the trajectory of the shot.
The match had unfolded dramatically, with both sides locked in a goalless stalemate during the first half, providing an intense prelude to the ensuing excitement. The equilibrium was disrupted in the 51st minute when Michael of Al Hilal broke the deadlock with a precision header, placing his team in the lead.
However, it was Ronaldo who stole the spotlight with an equaliser in the 74th minute, showcasing his extraordinary skill even as Al Nassr faced a numerical disadvantage following Adbulelah Al Amri’s expulsion via a red card in the 70th minute. As the clock wound down, the tension escalated, culminating in a nail-biting 1-1 draw that extended the clash into extra time.
Remarkably, it was Al Nassr’s indefatigable captain, Cristiano Ronaldo himself, who rose to the occasion and guided his team to victory. This triumphant outcome marked Al Nassr’s first triumph against Al Hilal in five matches since December 2021.
With this exhilarating victory, the Ronaldo-led Al Nassr are now geared up for a riveting face-off against Al Ettifaq in their inaugural match of the forthcoming Saudi Pro League season on Monday.
