Cristiano Ronaldo’s pursuit of a second Saudi title ended in heartbreak as Al-Nassr lost to Al-Ahli on penalties in the Saudi Super Cup final. Despite Ronaldo’s impressive performance, including scoring his 100th goal for the club, Mendy’s heroics secured victory for Al-Ahli.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s wait for a second piece of silverware in Saudi Arabia continues after Al-Nassr were heartbreakingly beaten on penalties by Al-Ahli in the Saudi Super Cup final on Saturday. Despite a valiant effort from the Portuguese icon, including a well-taken penalty during regular time, the 2-2 draw was ultimately decided by a shootout, where Edouard Mendy played the hero for Al-Ahli.
A Match Full of Drama and Missed Opportunities
Al-Nassr started the match with intent, knowing that a victory would give Ronaldo his second title in Saudi Arabia since lifting the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023. However, despite dominating possession and creating several chances, poor finishing saw them fail to capitalize. Wesley and Felix had their opportunities, but both shots were either off target or expertly saved by Mendy.
Ronaldo, never one to shy away from the moment, put in a solid performance, attempting an acrobatic overhead kick in the 22nd minute, only for it to be easily collected by Mendy. As the game pressed on, the tension mounted. Just before halftime, Al-Nassr were awarded a penalty when the ball struck Al Ahli’s Ali Majrashi’s arm inside the box. Ronaldo stepped up and, with the calmness of a veteran, slotted the penalty down the middle, sending Mendy the wrong way to give his side the lead.
However, Al-Ahli quickly responded in the second half. Franck Kessie’s sublime curling effort from the edge of the box found its way past goalkeeper Bento to bring the scores level at 1-1. Then, in the 82nd minute, Al-Nassr appeared to have clinched the win when Marcelo Brozovic pounced on a defensive error from Kessie, curling the ball into the corner of the net to put his team 2-1 ahead. But just as victory seemed certain, Al-Ahli had one final twist in the tail. In injury time, Roger Ibanez’s header from a corner ensured the match went into a penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout Heartbreak
The shootout saw Mendy emerge as the key figure, denying Al-Nassr’s Abdullah Al-Khaibari to secure the win for Al-Ahli. Despite Ronaldo’s heroic efforts, including his two well-taken penalties, it was not to be. Al-Nassr’s agonizing wait for a trophy continues as their star forward faces yet another bitter disappointment in Saudi Arabia.
A Historic Milestone for Ronaldo
At 40 years old, Ronaldo added another remarkable achievement to his illustrious career by scoring his 100th goal for Al-Nassr in this match. This milestone made him the first player ever to score 100+ goals for five different clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr, and Portugal. While the personal accomplishment is significant, it’s the team trophy that eludes him once again.
The Hero of the Day: Mendy
Edouard Mendy was undoubtedly the MVP of the match, playing a key role in denying Ronaldo’s side throughout regulation time and then stepping up in the penalty shootout to seal the win for Al-Ahli. His critical saves ensured Al-Ahli lifted the trophy, despite being on the back foot for much of the match.
What Comes Next for Al-Nassr?
Al-Nassr now turn their attention to the Pro League, with their next fixture against Al-Taawoun on August 29. The club will be eager to put the disappointment of the Saudi Super Cup behind them and focus on their league campaign, where they will continue their pursuit of silverware for Ronaldo, whose quest for a major trophy in Saudi Arabia remains elusive.
