Al Nassr emerged triumphant in the King’s Cup semi-final clash against Al-Khaleej, with Sadio Mané and Cristiano Ronaldo spearheading their charge to a resounding 3-1 victory. The Riyadh-based outfit’s dominant performance not only secured their passage to the final but also underscored their status as formidable contenders in the prestigious tournament.
The semi-final encounter between Al-Khaleej and Al Nassr unfolded on Wednesday, setting the stage for a showdown of epic proportions.
From the onset, Al Nassr showcased their attacking prowess, with Cristiano Ronaldo capitalizing on an early defensive lapse to open the scoring for the Riyadh club in the 17th minute.
The Portuguese maestro’s clinical finish set the tone for an exhilarating contest, with Al Nassr dictating proceedings in the first half.
Amidst the fervor of the encounter, a pivotal moment arrived in the 37th minute when Al Nassr was awarded a penalty.
In a gesture of sportsmanship, Cristiano Ronaldo entrusted the spot-kick duties to Sadio Mané, who coolly converted from the spot to extend Al Nassr’s lead to 2-0, heading into halftime.
As the second half unfolded, Al-Khaleej rallied in a bid to claw their way back into contention.
However, their aspirations were dealt a decisive blow when Cristiano Ronaldo once again showcased his predatory instincts, notching his second goal of the evening in the 57th minute to put Al Nassr firmly in control at 3-0.
Despite a late consolation goal from Fawaz Al-Tarees in the 82nd minute, Al Nassr’s dominance remained unassailable, with the final whistle signaling their passage to the King’s Cup final.
In a testament to their mettle, Al Nassr now prepares to lock horns with Al-Hilal in a highly anticipated showdown, poised to etch their names in the annals of Saudi footballing history.
