CRISTIANO RONALDO failed to score again as Al-Nassr were dumped out of the Saudi Super Cup.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Al-Ittihad ran out 3-1 winners to progress to the final.
Al-Nassr fought back in the second half when Talisca met Luis Gustavo’s low cross from the left and beat Marcelo Grohe with a clinical finish on 67 minutes.
But Al-Ittihad sealed the win in the third minute of added time with Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti after another assist by Romarinho.
The result means Ronaldo has now failed to score in each of his two Al-Nassr appearances.
- Result: Al-Ittihad 3-1 Al-Nassr
- Al-Nassr: Agustin, Sultan, Mado, Alamri, Lajami, Alkhaibari, Gustavo, Martinez, Sami, Talisca, Ronaldo
- Al-Ittihad: Grohe, Hegazy, Sharahili, Shanqeeti, Hawsawi, Hamed, Coronado, Henrique, Romarinho, Al-Aboud, Hamdallah
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That’s all from Saudi Arabia
Al-Ittihad eliminated Al-Nassr from the Saudi Super Cup with a 3-1 win in their semi-final at the King Fahd International Stadium.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men opened the scoring after just 15 minutes when Abdulrahman Al-Aboud found Romarinho unmarked from the left before the Brazilian beat Agustin Rossi.
Romarinho then turned from goalscorer into creator two minutes before half-time as he delivered a pinpoint cross from the right and found Abderrazak Hamdallah totally unmarked in the far post.
The centre-forward got the header and sent the ball to Agustin’s bottom left corner.
Al-Nassr came back in the second half when Talisca met Luis Gustavo’s low cross from the left and beat Marcelo Grohe with a beautiful finish on 67 minutes.
But Al-Ittihad sealed the win in the third minute of added time with Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti after yet another assist by Romarinho.
A miserable night for Cristiano Ronaldo and co with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner failing to stand out in his second match.
That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a lovely night!
Credit: Getty Cristiano Ronaldo stats
Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to stand out against Al-Ittihad.
Ronaldo has yet to score a goal or provide an assist or his new team after two matches.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner only managed one tackle against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side and completed 22 out of 28 passes.
The Manchester United legend also won five out of 11 duels, most of which were on the ground – where were four out of six
Credit: Getty What’s next for Cristiano Ronaldo?
Al-Nassr have been eliminated from the Saudi Super Cup after their 3-1 loss to Al-Ittihad in the semi-finals.
Ronaldo failed to break his duck during a rough night for Rudi Garcia’s team.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team will face Al Feiha in the final on Sunday.
Al-Nassr, on the other hand, will be back in action on February 3 when they visit Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League
Credit: Getty
Al-Ittihad vs Al-Nassr Stats
Al-Nassr dominated 64 per cent of possession despite their 3-1 loss.
Cristiano Ronaldo and co managed 17 shots but only three of them were on target.
Al-Ittihad, on the other hand, registered eight shots, five of which were on target.
More below:
FT: Al-Ittihad 3-1 Al-Nassr
Al-Ittihad knocked Al-Nassr from the Saudi Super Cup with a 3-1 win in their semi-final at the King Fahd International Stadium.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men opened the scoring after just 15 minutes when Abdulrahman Al-Aboud found Romarinho totally unmarked from the left before the Brazilian beat Agustin Rossi.
Romarinho then turned from goalscorer into provider two minutes before half-time as he delivered a pinpoint cross from the right and found Abderrazak Hamdallah totally unmarked in the far post.
The striker got the header and sent the ball to Agustin’s bottom left corner.
Al-Nassr came back in the second half when Talisca met Luis Gustavo’s low cross from the left and beat Marcelo Grohe with a clinical finish on 67 minutes.
But Al-Ittihad sealed the win in the third minute of added time with Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti after another assist by Romarinho.
A miserable night for Cristiano Ronaldo and co with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner failing to stand out
Credit: Reuters FT: Al-Ittihad 3-1 Al-Nassr
Peep!
That’s full-time in Saudi Arabia!!!
90+9 Al-Ittihad 3-1 Al-Nassr
Al Nassr fans are walking out of the stadium as we approach full-time.
Not we expected to see from the stands after Ronaldo’s arrival
90+6 Al-Ittihad 3-1 Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr are not giving up and still looking for a second goal.
But Al-Ittihad have been too good tonight
90+3 Al-Ittihad 3-1 Al-Nassr
Al-Ittihad have done it with yet another lethal counter-attack.
Romarinho leads the charge and releases Al-Shanqeeti with a wonderful through ball before he beats Agustin with a clinical finish
90+3 Al-Ittihad 3-1 Al-Nassr
Goal!
Al-Ittihad have won it with Al-Shanqeeti!!!
90+3 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Chance!
Al-Nassr star Talisca delivers a free-kick from the right and just misses Grohe’s crossbar
90+2 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Yellow card
Al-Ittihad ace Al-Shamrani is booked for a rough tackle on Ronaldo
90 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Nine more minutes of added time to go.
Plenty of time for an equaliser and/or a winner!
89 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Yellow card
Al-Ittihad ace Al-Bishi has been booked for time wasting
88 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
What a chance!
Al-Ittihad almost put this to bed as Hamdallah finds himself in front of Agustin but is dispossessed at the last second by Gustavo
87 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Substitution
Al-Nassr manager Garcia makes another change as Masharipov comes on for Al-Khaibari
85 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Just five more minutes to go, Al-Ittihad continue to create more danger.
But Al-Nassr are still giving them problems at the back
83 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Both teams are running out of fuel as we approach full-time.
Al-Ittihad are pushing for that one goal that will put this to bed.
Still not much from Ronaldo…
80 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Substitution
A double substitution from Al-Ittihad manager Nuno as Al-Shamrani and Camara come on for Hasawi and Coronado respectively
78 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Chance
Al-Nassr star Gustavo tries a shot from the edge of the box but completely misses the target.
Ronaldo and co are pushing hard for an equaliser but Al-Ittihad are also gaining ground
Credit: Getty 76 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Yellow card
Al-Ittihad pick up their first booking as Hawsawi sees yellow for a tackle from behind on Talisca
75 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Al-Ittihad are still dangerous on the counter, especially down the wings.
This is the kind of game that can definitely go either way
72 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Substitution
Al-Ittihad boss Nuno makes his first change as Al-Bishi comes on for Al-Aboud
71 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Chance
Al-Nassr star Talisca tries a long-range free-kick but completely misses the target.
Not sure why Ronaldo didn’t take that
70 Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
This is going to be intense now…
Al-Nassr are now pushing for an equaliser after their quick goal.
Will Ronaldo finally break his duck…?
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
