Hilal 2-1 Nassr Highlights: Hilal advances to finals as Ronaldo sees red
Ronaldo’s frustration boiled over in a pivotal moment during the match between Al Hilal and Al Nassr, altering the course of the game. In a tense first half, Ronaldo found himself in an offside position as his team seemed poised to score. However, his attempt to play the ball before it reached Otavio, who eventually scored, led to the goal being disallowed. Despite Ronaldo’s vehement protests and a subsequent VAR review, the decision stood, leaving the Portuguese star visibly furious and ultimately booked for his protests.
Al Hilal seized the opportunity just after the hour mark when Sergej Milinkovic-Savic delivered a precise pass to Salem Al-Dawsari, who broke through the Al Nassr defense to score. The momentum swung further in Al’s favor as Malcom’s powerful strike from distance rattled the post, signaling their intent to extend their lead. Malcom ultimately found the back of the net with a well-placed header, putting Al firmly in control with less than 20 minutes remaining.
As Al Nassr attempted to mount a comeback, Ronaldo’s frustrations boiled over. In a rare forward surge from his side, Ronaldo’s attempt on goal was easily thwarted by Kalidou Koulibaly. However, Ronaldo’s anger reached its peak later in the match when he elbowed an Al player, resulting in a straight red card. His needless dismissal left Al Nassr with a mountain to climb, as they found themselves a man down against a resolute Al Hilal side.
Ronaldo’s actions proved costly for Al Nassr, as his offside move and subsequent red card significantly hindered their chances of staging a comeback. His absence was keenly felt in the dying stages of the game, as Al Nassr struggled to break down a resilient Al Hilal defense.
Looking ahead, Al Hilal will face Al-Ittihad in the final, set to take place on April 11 at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. With their talismanic presence and dominant display in the semifinal, Al Hilal will undoubtedly enter the final as strong contenders for the Saudi Super Cup title.
