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Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his unparalleled class as he steered Al Nassr to a triumphant 2-1 victory over rivals Al Hilal in the Arab Club Championship Cup final. This scintillating showdown took place at Riyadh's famed King Fahd International Stadium on Saturday.
Despite Al Hilal's initial domination on the field, it was Ronaldo's exceptional finesse and timely goals that swung the match in Al Nassr's favour. This triumph marks Ronaldo's first trophy with Al Nassr and the club's most prestigious silverware since the Portuguese maestro's landmark signing.
A captivating first half remained goalless, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. The stalemate was finally broken in the 51st minute when Michael rose to the occasion for Al Hilal, netting a stellar header and signalling a potential victory for his team.
However, Ronaldo, known for his match-winning heroics, had other plans. The match's tempo changed in the 70th minute when Abdullelah Al Amri of Al Nassr was shown a red card, reducing the men in yellow to 10 players. But adversity often brings out Ronaldo's best. Mere minutes later, in the 74th, he deftly guided in Sultan Al-Ghannam’s precise low cross, restoring parity and amplifying the tension.
Al Nassr's challenges compounded when substitute Nawaf Boushal received a red card, further diminishing their on-field strength. With the scores level at 1-1, the fate of the Arab Club Championship Cup hung in the balance as the game stretched into extra time.
And then, in a moment that will be etched in Al Nassr's history, Ronaldo delivered again. Capitalizing on a rebound in the 98th minute, he outsmarted Al Owais with a well-timed header, sealing the deal for his team.
This monumental win was especially sweet for Al Nassr, having previously struggled against Al Hilal, losing their last five encounters since December 2021. As the dust settles on this season, Al Nassr stands second in the Saudi Pro League rankings, with Al Hilal close behind in third place.
Next on the horizon for the Ronaldo-powered Al Nassr is a face-off against Al Ettifaq, marking their season opener on Monday.
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