Frustrated Cristiano Ronaldo sees red in dismal display as Al-Nassr crash out of Saudi Super Cup with 2-1 loss to Al-Hilal

Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off as Al-Nassr went crashing out of the Saudi Super Cup final on Monday with a 2-1 defeat to Al-Hilal.

Al-Hilal beat Al-Nassr 2-1Ronaldo shown red card late in gameStar elbowed Al-Hilal player

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Late in the first half, Ronaldo became irritated when his team’s goal was disallowed due to the Portugal star. When the ball entered the area, he attempted to play it while offside, stopping it before it could reach Otavio, who scored. Ronaldo attempted to touch the ball, which raised the flag, and the VAR review confirmed that the decision to prohibit it was correct.

At last, shortly after the hour, Salem Al-Dawsari of Al-Hilal broke through the Al-Nassr defense and blasted into the net after Sergej Milinkovic-Savic sent the ball through. A short while later, Malcom’s excellent long-range shot struck the post, just missing the opportunity to double their lead. With fewer than 20 minutes remaining, Malcom scored his goal after a risky cross sent him racing into the area, and the Brazilian’s perfectly placed header beat David Ospina.

Late in the game, Ronaldo made a rare attempt for his team to score again, but he appeared uncharacteristically slow as Kalidou Koulibaly comfortably stopped his shot. Later on, as his rage reached a breaking point, he elbowed an Al-Hilal player and received a straight red card; he even raised his hand in the referee’s direction.

Sadio Mane gave Al-Nassr a chance to respond after their talisman was removed, but the damage had already been done, and Al-Hilal advanced to the championship game.

Malcom, a Brazilian winger, proved to be a genuine nuisance for Al-Nassr during the second half. Before ultimately scoring a goal that deserved to be scored, he was unlucky to see a particularly threatening long-range attempt strike the post and miss another opportunity. He was still trying to get more opportunities for his team and was keen to cause Al-Nassr additional suffering.

THE BIG LOSER

If Ronaldo hadn’t moved to play the ball when it was sailed toward the back post shortly before halftime, things might have turned out differently. Otavio’s goal was disallowed because the Portugal star was offside when the ball was played, stretched, and missed a touch. The Portuguese midfielder, who was clearly incensed, was eventually issued a needless red card for elbowing an Al-Hilal player later in the second half after being booked for his protests.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Al-Hilal will play Al-Ittihad in the final after winning on Monday. Al-Ittihad defeated Al-Wehda 2-1 in the other semi-final of the day. The Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi will host the championship game on April 11.