• Source:JND
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Al-Nassr vs Al-Hilal, King's Cup Final: Cristiano Ronaldo was left heartbroken and was seen in tears after Al-Nassr suffered a defeat against Al-Hilal in the final of the King's Cup in Jeddah on Friday, May 31.

Al-Hilal clinched the King's Cup title on the back of a 5-4 win over Al-Nassr on penalties with the latter's season finishing without a trophy.

Ronaldo, who signed for Al-Nassr in December 2022, fell to the ground in despair and was consoled by teammates at King Abdullah Sports City.

The match had ended 1-1 in the regular and extra time before Al-Hilal’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou put up a remarkable effort to take his side home.

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The defeat came just four days after Al-Nassr finished second in the Saudi Pro League, 14 points behind Al-Hilal with Ronaldo setting up a new league record.

The five-time Ballon d'Or Ronaldo smashed 35 league goals this season but ended the campaign being trophyless.

The match between the rival clubs turned out to be a thrilling contest that witnessed three red cards.

Aleksandar Mitrovic headed Al-Hilal ahead after seven minutes. It got worse for Al-Nassr early in the second half when goalkeeper David Ospina, formerly of Arsenal and Napoli, was sent off for handling the ball outside the area.

Al-Hilal was also reduced to 10 men after 86 minutes when Ali Al-Bulaihi was red-carded for an apparent headbutt on Sami Al-Najei.

Seconds later, Ayman Yahya headed Al-Nassr level.

Al-Hilal had another defender sent off in the 91st minute after Kalidou Koulibaly, signed from Chelsea last summer, received a second yellow card.

There were no goals in extra time and the final went to a shootout. Ruben Neves missed Hilal's first attempt as did former Manchester United defender Alex Telles for Al-Nassr.

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Ronaldo, who earlier hit the post with a spectacular overhead kick, converted his penalty but could only watch as Bounou, a hero of Morocco's march to the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup, saved twice, the first from Ali Al-Hassan and then from Al-Nemer.

The saves gave Hilal an 11th King's Cup triumph while Ronaldo and his team will have to wait until next season.

 

(With Agency Inputs)