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Cristiano Ronaldo led Al-Nassr to their first Arab Club Champions Cup title with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Al-Hilal. Ronaldo scored twice in the final and finished as the tournament’s top scorer. The star-studded Al-Nassr side had many chances before Ronaldo equalized in the 74th minute. Al-Nassr held on despite two red cards and Ronaldo sealed the win in extra time. Reuters reported
On August 12, Cristiano Ronaldo led Al-Nassr to victory in the Arab Club Champions Cup final, securing their first-ever title in the tournament. In a thrilling match against Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr emerged as winners with a 2-1 scoreline in extra time, despite playing with 10 men. Ronaldo, who had failed to win a trophy in the previous season after joining Al-Nassr, showcased his brilliance by scoring twice in the final. The 38-year-old finished as the tournament’s top scorer, netting six goals overall. The Arab Club Champions Cup includes top clubs from various Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria.
Although Al-Nassr boasts a star-studded lineup featuring notable signings like Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana, and Marcelo Brozovic, it was their opponents who took the lead in the second half through a goal from Michael. To the dismay of Al-Nassr, Michael even imitated Ronaldo’s iconic goal celebration. However, this setback only fueled Ronaldo’s determination, and he equalized for his team in the 74th minute, scoring in his fifth consecutive game.
Despite facing adversity, Al-Nassr managed to hold on to the draw, despite having defender Abdulelah Al-Amri sent off in the second half and Nawaf Boushal receiving a red card while on the bench for arguing with an official. The game then went into extra time, where Ronaldo once again showcased his brilliance. He doubled Al-Nassr’s lead by capitalizing on a rebound off the crossbar and heading the ball into the net, taking advantage of the goalkeeper’s positioning.
However, there were concerns when Ronaldo suffered an apparent injury after a collision in the second period of extra time. This injury comes just two days before Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Ettifaq, raising doubts about his availability for the upcoming match.
In summary, Cristiano Ronaldo’s outstanding performance propelled Al-Nassr to their first Arab Club Champions Cup triumph. Despite facing challenges and playing with 10 men, Ronaldo’s goalscoring prowess ensured victory for his team. However, his injury in the final moments of the match raises concerns regarding his participation in the next fixture..
