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- The Portuguese star netted the second in his team’s 2-0 semifinal win over Al-Taawoun; Brozovic sent off late on
ABHA: 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.