Fatal penalties: Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo fall one step short of glory in Saudi Arabia

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr was defeated on penalties (3-5) by Al-Ahli in the Saudi Super Cup, after drawing 2-2 in regular time. The Portuguese star loses the opportunity to win his first title in the Asian country.

Iñigo Martínez played the entire match for the ‘Knights of Najd’, where he had an 89% passing accuracy (32 out of 36 possible), won 1 of 3 aerial duels, and won the only ground duel he had.

The team coached by Jorge Jesus took the lead in the 41st minute after a penalty scored by Cristiano Ronaldo. Before the end of the first half, the Ivorian Franck Kessie appeared with a masterful right-footed shot to equalize the match, with nothing for goalkeeper Bento to do.

In the second half, the Riyadh-based team took the lead again thanks to a goal from the Croatian Marcelo Brozovic in the 82nd minute. The green and whites equalized 2-2 in the final moments of the match, with Roger Ibañez being assisted by the Algerian Riyad Mahrez from a corner kick.

In the penalty shootout, Ronaldo, Brozovic, and João Félix scored, with only Abdullah Al Khaibari missing. For the Jeddah team, Ivan Toney, Franck Kessie, Mahrez, Firas Al Buraikan, and Galeno scored. It is worth noting that Al-Ahli took the place of Al-Hilal, which claimed not to have enough time to prepare after the Club World Cup.

Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia has not won a title since 2020

Al-Nassr wants to add titles to its trophy case again and that is why it has been reinforced with world-class players. Their roster includes footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix, Marcelo Brozovic, Iñigo Martínez, Kingsley Coman, and Sadio Mané. Despite this, it has not been able to add a title to its showcases since 2020, when it won the Saudi Super Cup against Al Hilal.

Five years of large investments in players have passed, including coaches, such as Jorge Jesus, Miguel Ángel Russo, Rudi García, Luis Castro, and Stefano Pioli. However, they have not been able to lift any official trophy in the last five years.

Franck Kessie: The former Barça player who ended up winning the Saudi Super Cup

Many stars have arrived in Saudi football and one of them was Frank Kessie, an Ivorian midfielder who is playing his third season at Al-Ahli. The former Barça player won his second title in Asia, the first being the AFC Champions League Elite in May against Kawasaki Frontale of Japan.

It is worth remembering that Kessie played the 22/23 season at FC Barcelona, where he played 43 matches and scored 3 goals, one of which is well remembered by the culé fans for winning the Clásico.

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Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr was defeated on penalties (3-5) against Al-Ahli for the Saudi Super Cup, after drawing 2-2 in regular time. The Portuguese star loses the opportunity to win his first title in the Asian country.

Iñigo Martínez participated in the entire match playing for the ‘Knights of Najd’, where he had 89% passing accuracy (32 of 36 possible), won 1 of 3 aerial duels, and won the only ground duel he had.

The team led by Jorge Jesus took the lead in the 41st minute after a penalty scored by Cristiano Ronaldo. Before the end of the first half, the Ivorian Franck Kessie appeared with a masterful right-footed shot to equalize the match, nothing for goalkeeper Bento to do.

In the second half, the Riyadh team once again took the lead on the scoreboard thanks to a goal from the Croatian Marcelo Brozovic in the 82nd minute. The green and whites equalized 2-2 in the epilogue of the match, Roger Ibañez is assisted by the Algerian Riyad Mahrez from a corner kick.

In the penalties, Ronaldo, Brozovic, and Joao Félix scored, only Abdullah Al Khaibari missed. While for the Jeddah team, Ivan Toney, Franck Kessie, Mahrez, Firas Al Buraikan, and Galeno scored. It is worth noting that Al-Ahli took the place of Al-Hilal, which alleged not having enough time to prepare after the Club World Cup.

Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr has not won a title since 2020

Al-Nassr wants to have titles in their record again and that is why they have reinforced themselves with world-class players. Their roster includes footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Félix, Marcelo Brozovic, Iñigo Martínez, Kingsley Coman, and Sadio Mané, despite this, they have not been able to add a title to their trophy case since 2020, when they won the Saudi Super Cup against Al Hilal.

Five years of large investments in players have passed, including coaches, such as Jorge Jesus, Miguel Ángel Russo, Rudi García, Luis Castro, and Stefano Pioli. However, they have not been able to lift any official trophy in the last five years.

Franck Kessie: The former Barça player who ended up winning the Saudi Super Cup

Many stars have arrived in Saudi football and one of them was Frank Kessie, an Ivorian midfielder who is playing his third season at Al-Ahli. The former Barça player won his second title in Asia, the first being the AFC Champions League Elite in May against Kawasaki Frontale of Japan.

It is worth remembering that Kessie played the 22/23 season at FC Barcelona, where he played 43 matches and scored 3 goals, one of them well remembered by the culé fans for winning the Clásico.