Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo Cries Uncontrollably After Al Nassr Lose in King’s Cup Final to Al Hilal
Al Hilal beat Al Nassr in the King’s Cup final at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to complete a domestic league and cup double. The game ended 1-1 in regulation time and Al Hilal emerged victorious in penalty shootout 5-4.
Al Nassr made a strong start to the game creating chances at regular intervals. However, against the run of play Al Hilal found themselves ahead in the seventh minute with Aleksandar Mitrovic heading the ball into Ospina’s net. Ronaldo’s effort in the latter stages of the half was brilliantly saved by Bono to preserve Al Hilal’s lead at half time.
The things went from bad to worse in the second half for Al Nassr as their goalkeeper Ospina was sent off with a straight red for handling the ball outside the box. The game seemed out of reach for Luis Castro’s side, however, the second yellow for Al Hilal’s Ali Albulayhi brought life back to Al Nassr. With both sides down to 10 men, Ayman Yahya made sure the game heads into extra time by leveling the game in the 88th minute. Kalidou Koulibaly was the third player to receive his marching orders in the 90th minute after the defender received his second yellow card.
Neither team was able to score a winning goal in 30 minutes of extra time meaning penalties were needed to decide the winner of the King’s Cup. Al Hilal emerged victorious when goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved the final two penalties from Al Nassr helping them lift their 11th King’s Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo was full of tears at full time after the frustrating loss. The five time Ballon d’Or winner was inconsolable and was eventually led off the field by his teammates and coaching staff. He then sat on the sidelines battling with his emotions waiting to collect his runners up medal. Despite the defeat, Ronaldo enjoyed a brilliant season scoring 35 goals in his very first full Saudi Pro League season.
Before the Kings cup final defeat, Ronaldo made history in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League Record
Ronaldo became the highest goal scorer in the Saudi Pro League scoring 34 goals in his first full season. He passed Abderrazak Hamdallah’s tally of 34 goals set in 2019.
Afterwards Ronaldo took to twitter “I don’t follow the records, the records follow me,” said the five time Ballond’Or winner.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
