Cristiano Ronaldo gained his first trophy with Al Nassr and the membership’s first ever Arab Membership Champions Cup title after scoring twice in a 2-1 extra-time win over fellow Saudi facet Al Hilal on Saturday on the King Fahd Stadium.
Ronaldo did not land a trophy final season after his transfer to Al Nassr, who completed runners-up within the Saudi Professional League, however the 38-year-old scored six occasions within the event to complete as its high scorer en path to the title.
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The event is performed by high Arab golf equipment within the area and included groups from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.
The star-studded Al Nassr facet, who completed the sport with 10 males, had many possibilities to attain within the first half with new shut season signings Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana and Marcelo Brozovic all denied by goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais.
The sport remained scoreless till six minutes into the second half when Al Hilal’s Malcom crossed the ball and located fellow Brazilian Michael, who put his facet forward with a free header.
To rub salt into their wounds, the 27-year-old even produced the Ronaldo purpose celebration as he ran to the nook flag and leapt into the air.
That appeared to fireside up Ronaldo and the Portugal captain equalised within the 74th minute when he acquired on the top of a low cross from proper again Sultan Al-Ghannam to attain for a fifth sport in a row.
Al Nassr defender Abdulelah Al-Amri was despatched off within the second half earlier than Nawaf Boushal was given his marching orders whereas on the bench for arguing with an official, however they held on to take the sport to further time.
Ronaldo then doubled the lead within the first half of additional time when he pounced on a rebound off the crossbar and headed dwelling with the goalkeeper off his line.
There have been considerations, nonetheless, when Ronaldo was carted off the sector with an obvious harm after a collision within the second interval of additional time — simply two days earlier than their Saudi Professional League opener in opposition to Al Ettifaq.
