Saudi Super Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo creates winner as Al-Nassr beat Al-Ittihad in semi-final
With the teams level, and Al-Nassr reduced by the 25th-minute dismissal of Sadio Mane, Ronaldo galloped onto a forward ball from Nawaf Boushal in the 61st minute, before he unselfishly presented Joao Felix with the easiest of debut goals.
When an original decision to disallow the strike for offside against Ronaldo was overturned, he celebrated wildly.
Al-Nassr will meet the winners of Wednesday's second Saudi Super Cup semi-final between Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah in Saturday's final.
Ronaldo and his allies appeared set for a straightforward night when Mane squeezed an attempt beyond the weak defences of goalkeeper Hamed Al-Shanqiti after 10 minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo applauds supporters after being substituted. Photo: Elson Li
By the time Mane was sent off 15 minutes later, after an ugly challenge on 20-year-old keeper Al-Shanqiti, Steven Bergwijn had equalised for the reigning Saudi champions. Al-Ittihad never looked like exploiting their numerical advantage, however, with Al-Nassr the faster, hungrier and more aggressive team.
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