Cristiano Ronaldo proved himself the hero on Saturday, as Al-Nassr emerged triumphant from the finale of the Arab Club Champions Cup.
For those who may have missed it, Al-Nassr were back in action a short time ago.
After putting Iraqi outfit Al-Shorta to the sword by a goal to nil in the competition’s final-4, Luis Castro’s troops made the trip to the King Fahd International Stadium, for a showpiece showdown with Saudi Pro League rivals Al-Hilal.
And, just like he did in the semis, the aforementioned Cristiano Ronaldo, once more, came up clutch.
It was actually Al-Hilal who opened the scoring in the clash, courtesy of Michael’s finish early in the 2nd-half.
Upon Al-Nassr’s Abdulelah Al-Amri being given his marching orders 20 minutes from time, Ronaldo’s men, in turn, looked in serious trouble.
First, with 73 minutes on the clock, CR7 broke free in the middle of the Al-Hilal penalty area, to slot home a simple finish from close range:
هدف للنصر
الحساب الاساسي : @i_Carl0
الحساب الاساسي : @i_Carl0#الهلال_النصر pic.twitter.com/FU33Dj0CfQ
— بـيـت | ALHILAL (@AlhilalBayt) August 12, 2023
Then, deep into extra time, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner conjured up the game’s decisive moment.
After Seko Fofana was unfortunate to see his effort from range come back off the crossbar, Ronaldo was in the right place at the right time to nod home a trademark header:
هدف ثاني للنصر
الحساب الاساسي : @i_Carl0
الحساب الاساسي : @i_Carl0#الهلال_النصر pic.twitter.com/QOTcS4i5g0
— بـيـت | ALHILAL (@AlhilalBayt) August 12, 2023
Al-Hilal, from here, had their chances to bag an all-important leveller, but Al-Nassr ultimately held on, to hand Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic and more a first piece of silverware in the Middle East.
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