Ronaldo breaks Saudi Super Cup scoring duck as Al-Nassr set up final with Al-Hilal

Cristiano Ronaldo finally broke his Diriyah Saudi Super Cup duck as Al-Nassr secured a spot in this year’s final.

Luis Castro’s team beat Al-Taawoun 2-0 in Abha on Wednesday and will meet Saudi Pro League champions and Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal in Saturday’s final.

Ayman Yahya gave Al-Nassr an eighth minute lead by scoring from just inside the six-yard box after a fine run and cross from the left by Sadie Mane.

Ronaldo, who had previously failed to hit the mark in the Saudi Super Cup, scored after 57 minutes with a firm low shot after receiving the ball from right-back Sultan Al-Ghannam. The Portuguese star celebrated in his traditional manner, delighting inside the stadium.

Al-Nassr’s Croatian midfielder, Marcelo Brozovic, was sent off in stoppage time but by then it was too late for Al-Taawoun to take advantage.

Al-Nassr lost their 2022 and 2023 semifinals against Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal respectively.

Ronaldo and Al-Nassr now have the chance to claim the club’s third Super Cup since the competition’s inception in 2013, and the first since it pivoted to a four-team tournament two years ago.