Cristiano Ronaldo’s quest for a trophy with Al Nassr continues, as his early goal wasn’t enough to stave off a crushing 4-1 defeat to Al Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final. Despite Ronaldo’s promising start, the night belonged to Aleksandar Mitrovic and his Al Hilal teammates, who mounted a spectacular comeback to secure the title.
Ronaldo’s Early Strike: A Glimpse of Hope for Al Nassr
As both teams took to the field, Ronaldo briefly touched the Saudi Super Cup trophy, a gesture that seemed to foreshadow Al Nassr’s misfortune. The Portuguese superstar began the match in typically confident fashion, and his efforts bore fruit early on. Ronaldo opened the scoring with a trademark finish, reacting quickly to a smart cut-back and poking the ball home from close range. This opportunistic goal gave Al Nassr a 1-0 lead and sent their fans into a frenzy, raising hopes of a much-anticipated trophy win.
Mitrovic and Al Hilal Turn the Tide
However, the tide quickly turned against Al Nassr. Al Hilal, undeterred by Ronaldo’s opener, began to impose themselves in the second half. The equalizer came in the 55th minute when Sergej Milinkovic-Savic found space after a clever one-two and unleashed a powerful shot that rocketed into the roof of the net. This goal signaled the beginning of Al Hilal’s dominance.
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Aleksandar Mitrovic then took center stage, delivering a match-winning performance with two goals in quick succession. In the 63rd minute, Mitrovic soared above the Al Nassr defense to head home, putting Al Hilal ahead. Just six minutes later, he doubled his tally, finishing clinically from inside the six-yard box after another lapse in Al Nassr’s defensive structure. These goals not only gave Al Hilal a commanding 3-1 lead but also effectively ended Al Nassr’s hopes of a comeback.
Malcom Seals the Victory
As Al Nassr struggled to regain their composure, a costly mistake from goalkeeper Bento sealed their fate. In the 72nd minute, Bento miscontrolled a back pass, allowing Malcom to pounce and slot the ball into an empty net. This fourth goal put the final nail in the coffin for Al Nassr, who were left to rue their defensive frailties.
Al Nassr’s Defensive Woes and Ronaldo’s Frustration
The defensive lapses and poor goalkeeping from Al Nassr were glaring, as they conceded three goals from within the six-yard box. Despite his early contribution, Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure as the game slipped away from his team. His disappointment was palpable, particularly during a dismal second half where Al Nassr’s shortcomings were laid bare.
Conclusion: A Bitter Pill for Al Nassr
For Al Nassr, this defeat is a bitter reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. Ronaldo’s wait for a trophy in Saudi Arabia continues, and the team will need to regroup and address their defensive issues if they are to compete at the highest level. Al Hilal, on the other hand, will celebrate a well-deserved victory, with Mitrovic’s heroics ensuring their place as Saudi Super Cup champions.