Al Nassr booked their spot in the Saudi Arabia Super Cup final by defeating Al Ittihad in a thrilling semifinal, with three goals, a red card, and brilliant performances from Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix.
From the outset, the match was intense as goalkeeper Bento made a mistake that nearly allowed Karim Benzema to score first. However, Sadio Mane responded with a powerful volley to give Al Nassr the lead. The celebration was short-lived, as Steven Bergwijn quickly equalized for Al Ittihad with a sharp counterattack. In the 25th minute, the game changed significantly when Mane was shown a red card, forcing Al Nassr to play a man down.
Despite being at a numerical disadvantage, Al Nassr maintained their composure and created several chances. Ronaldo had a free-kick that sailed over the bar late in the first half, while Coman and his teammates kept testing the opposing defense. In the second half, Al Ittihad pushed forward, and Benzema nearly capitalized on an error, but Bento made a crucial save.
Ronaldo sets up Felix for an easy goal in open space
In the 61st minute, Cristiano Ronaldo showed great teamwork by passing across to Joao Felix instead of shooting himself, allowing Felix to score effortlessly. VAR confirmed the goal, putting Al Nassr ahead 2-1. Felix later found the net again, but the goal was disallowed. In the closing minutes, Al Nassr continued to press, Felix almost scored a second when he hit the post, and Ronaldo’s follow-up shot was blocked.
After 90 minutes, Al Nassr held on for a 2-1 victory, advancing to the final with just 10 men, thanks to major contributions from Ronaldo and Joao Felix.
90+8': Full time!
85': Al Nassr still attacking
Al Nassr pushed their players forward and kept pressing, aiming for a third goal to seal the match as it reached its decisive phase.
80': So close!
Joao Felix received a pass, controlled it skillfully, rounded the goalkeeper, and shot from close range, but the ball struck the right post. Cristiano Ronaldo quickly followed up, but an Al Ittihad defender managed to clear the danger in time.
75': Pushing forward in attack
Al Ittihad threw everything forward searching for an equalizer, but Al Nassr defended solidly and launched sharp counterattacks. Joao Felix continued to impress, standing out as the brightest star in the attack.
66': Goal ruled out
Joao Felix appeared to have completed a brace with a confident move in the box and a decisive shot to make it 3-1 for Al Nassr. However, the goal was disallowed as Cristiano Ronaldo had committed a foul on an Al Ittihad player earlier. The score remained 2-1.
61': Ronaldo assists, Felix scores
In the 61st minute, after VAR review, Joao Felix’s goal was confirmed, giving Al Nassr a 2-1 lead. Cristiano Ronaldo broke through on goal but unselfishly squared the ball to Felix, who easily finished before he and Ronaldo celebrated together on the sideline.
57': Dangerous moment!
Al Nassr’s defense narrowly avoided conceding when a careless back pass almost allowed Karim Benzema to score, but goalkeeper Bento intervened just in time to clear the ball.
48': Al Nassr unexpectedly gets a chance
In the 48th minute, Brozovic delivered a corner, Simakan rose above everyone for a header, but it went wide, missing a good opportunity for Al Nassr.
46': Second half begins
45+3': Ronaldo’s free kick attempt
Cristiano Ronaldo took a free kick, but the ball went over the crossbar, showing he is still searching for success with set pieces.
40': Chance for Ronaldo
Coman skillfully beat his marker and passed to Cristiano Ronaldo, but the ball was slightly out of reach, forcing CR7 to shoot from a tight angle, which was saved by the Al Ittihad goalkeeper. Immediately after, Al Nassr unleashed nearly five shots within a minute, but all were blocked by the crowded defense.
25': Mane sent off, Al Nassr down to 10 men
Al Nassr suffered a major blow when Sadio Mane was shown a red card and had to leave the field. Cristiano Ronaldo immediately raised his hand in disbelief at the decision.
16': Al Ittihad equalizes
Al Ittihad launched a quick counterattack down the left, the ball was cut back, and Steven Bergwijn raced in to finish with a diagonal shot, sending it into Al Nassr’s net.
7': Sadio Mane opens the scoring
Sadio Mane made his mark with a powerful volley. After Brozovic sent the ball back from near the byline, Mane fired the first shot, and although the Al Ittihad goalkeeper got a hand to it, he couldn’t stop the ball from crossing the line.
5': Nearly a goal
In the 5th minute, the score remained 0-0. Al Nassr faced a scare when goalkeeper Bento misplaced a pass, sending the ball straight to Karim Benzema. The former Real Madrid striker shot quickly, but his effort went over the bar.