Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr were knocked of the Saudi Super Cup last night after a 3-1 semi-final loss to Al Ittihad in Riyadh.
The 37-year-old Portugal international, five-times Ballon D’Or winner, had a couple of chances to score but was well shackled by the Al Ittihad defence for most of the match.
Ronaldo had made his debut for Al Nassr in a 1-0 win over Ettifaq four days earlier. That result saw Al Nassr go top of the Saudi Pro League, two places above Al Ittihad.
But Al Ittihad, managed by former Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, were much better than Ronaldo and Co in the first half yesterday.
Brazilian Romarinho fired Al Ittihad in front on the quarter-hour mark. Morocco striker Abderrazak Hamdallah then headed home to make it 2-0 in the 43rd minute, moments after Ronaldo had missed an opportunity to equalise at the other end. Talisca gave Al Nassr hope with a sweet left-footed strike midway through the second half. But Al Ittihad secured victory in added time when Muhannad Al Shanqeeti finished off a counter-attack.
Al-Ittihad will now play Al Fayha in the Saudi Super Cup final on Sunday. Al Fayha, last season’s King Cup winners, beat reigning national champions Al Hilal 1-0 in yesterday’s other semi-final.
Al Nassr next travel to Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League on February 3.
&uuid=(email))