Ronaldo Scores But Al-Nassr Overwhelmed By Al-Hilal In Saudi Super Cup Clash

Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo scored, but his team fell 4-1 to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Arabian Super Cup on Saturday. Ronaldo netted first, converting Abdulrahman Ghareeb's assist just before halftime at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium. Despite this early lead, Al-Nassr struggled in the second half.

Al-Hilal, unbeaten Pro League champions last season, dominated after the break. Former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice within six minutes, shifting the momentum away from Al-Nassr. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic had earlier equalised with a powerful finish into the roof of the net.

The Brazilian player Malcom added another goal for Al-Hilal with 18 minutes remaining. He capitalised on a mistake by goalkeeper Bento, stealing possession and scoring into an empty net. This goal sealed Al-Hilal's victory.

Ronaldo was visibly frustrated with his teammates as Al-Nassr collapsed in the second half. After Al-Hilal's fourth goal, he gestured angrily, indicating that his teammates were not alert. His frustration was evident throughout the match.

Al-Hilal made efficient use of their opportunities, scoring four goals from nine attempts with a total expected goals (xG) of 1.8. They also limited Al-Nassr to just 0.77 xG and restricted Ronaldo to two shots: his opening goal and a late attempt in stoppage time.

Match Statistics

The statistics highlight Al-Hilal's efficiency and defensive solidity during the match:

The game saw Ronaldo score his first goal of the season but also highlighted areas where Al-Nassr needs improvement. The team's defensive lapses and inability to capitalise on chances were evident throughout the match.

#ALHILAL IS THE DIRIYAH SAUDI SUPER CUP CHAMPION Congratulations on our 70th title #CHAMP70NS pic.twitter.com/1jzn91oKTg — AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) August 17, 2024 {INSTAGRAM_1}

This result underscores Al-Hilal's strength and efficiency as they continue their dominance in Saudi football. For Al-Nassr, it is a wake-up call to address their weaknesses if they aim to compete at the highest level this season.