Ronaldo’s Double Secures Arab Club Champions Cup For Al Nassr
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo guided 10-man Al Nassr to its first ever Arab Club Champions Cup title after scoring twice in a 2-1 extra-time victory against Al Hilal, at the King Fahd Sports City stadium in Ta’if, Saudi Arabia.
The star-studded Al Nassr side had many chances to score in the first half with close season signings Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana and Marcelo Brozovic all denied by goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais.
The game remained scoreless until six minutes into the second half when Al-Hilal’s Malcom crossed the ball and found fellow Brazilian Michael, who put his side ahead with a free header. The 27-year-old even produced the Ronaldo goal celebration as he ran to the corner flag and leapt into the air.
The celebration seemed to fire up Ronaldo and the football sensation went into overdrive.
The Portugal captain equalised in the 74th minute when he got on the end of a low cross from right back Sultan Al-Ghannam to score for a fifth game in a row.
However, the thrilling match was not over yet as there was more drama.
Al Nassr defender Abdulelah Al-Amri was sent off in the second half, but they held on to take the game to extra time.
In a turn-of-events, Ronaldo then doubled the lead in the first half of extra time when he pounced on a rebound off the crossbar and headed home with the goalkeeper off his line.
The match finished 2-1 as Al Nassr won the Arab Club Champions Cup for the first time in history.
Ronaldo scored six times in the tournament to finish as its top scorer en route to securing the title.
Champions of Arab pic.twitter.com/Vvo67xICtX
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 12, 2023
The tournament is played by top Arab clubs in the region and included teams from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.
There were concerns, however, when Ronaldo was carted off the field with an apparent injury after a collision in the second period of extra time.
With the Saudi Pro League set to kick off with Al -Nassr to face Al-Ettifaq. in their league opener, Ronaldo could be a doubt after his injury.
It’s the 4️⃣6️⃣
After playing more than 60 minutes with 10 men,
WEEEEE ARRRRE
CHAMPIONS OF King Salman Clubs CupYEEEES,
pic.twitter.com/SeW65nQ7SJ— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 12, 2023
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