Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr were beaten 5-3 on penalties by Al Ahli in a dramatic Saudi Super Cup final at the Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday night.
Ronaldo, who scored his 100th goal for Al Nassr in the match, had given his side the lead in the first half with a trademark penalty in the 41st minute after Ali Majrashi handled inside the box. But Franck Kessié equalised for Al Ahli just before the break with a curling strike from the edge of the area.
The second half produced more drama. Marcelo Brozović restored Nassr’s lead in the 82nd minute after dispossessing Kessié and curling past Édouard Mendy.
But Al Ahli struck back in the 89th minute when Roger Ibañez rose highest to head home the equaliser, forcing the tie into penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
In the shootout, Al Ahli held their nerve. Ivan Toney, Kessié, Riyad Mahrez, Feras Albrikan and Galeno all converted for the Jeddah club. Ronaldo and Brozović scored for Nassr, while Joao Félix found the top corner to keep them in the contest.
However, Nassr’s Al-Khaibari saw his effort saved by Mendy, and Galeno struck the winning kick to hand Al Ahli the trophy.
The win marks Al Ahli’s latest triumph since their big-money rebuild, while Al Nassr were left ruing missed chances despite Ronaldo’s milestone moment.
