Al Hilal Thrashes Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in Saudi Super Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr suffered a disappointing defeat in the 2024 Saudi Super Cup final, losing 4-1 to their fierce rivals Al Hilal on Saturday. Despite Ronaldo’s best efforts, his team was outclassed by Al Hilal, who secured their second consecutive Saudi Super Cup title and their fifth overall, further cementing their dominance in the competition.

The match, held at the packed King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, started with both teams displaying cautious play. Al Nassr, led by their star captain Ronaldo, managed to break the deadlock just before halftime. Ronaldo, in typical fashion, found the back of the net in the 44th minute, giving his side a 1-0 lead and a glimmer of hope as they headed into the break.

However, Al Hilal came out after the interval with renewed energy and determination, quickly turning the tide in their favor. Just five minutes into the second half, Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic leveled the score for Al Hilal with a well-placed header. This goal ignited Al Hilal’s attack, and just eight minutes later, their lead was doubled by another Serbian star, Aleksandar Mitrović, who slotted the ball past Al Nassr’s goalkeeper to make it 2-1.

Mitrović, who has been in outstanding form since joining Al Hilal, struck again in the 63rd minute. His second goal of the night gave Al Hilal a commanding 3-1 lead, leaving Ronaldo and his teammates visibly frustrated and struggling to regain control of the match. Despite Al Nassr’s attempts to mount a comeback, they were unable to break through Al Hilal’s solid defense.

The final blow came in the 69th minute when Brazilian forward Malcolm, known for his pace and technical skills, added a fourth goal for Al Hilal. His strike effectively sealed the victory, as Al Nassr’s hopes of lifting the trophy faded away.

As the clock ticked down, Al Hilal’s dominance on the pitch became increasingly evident. They maintained their composure, denying Al Nassr any significant opportunities to close the gap. When the final whistle blew, Al Hilal celebrated their well-deserved 4-1 victory, while Ronaldo and his teammates were left to rue their missed chances and ponder what went wrong.

This victory not only secured Al Hilal’s place as the most successful club in the history of the Saudi Super Cup but also highlighted their current supremacy in Saudi football. For Al Nassr and Ronaldo, the loss is a significant setback, as they had hoped to build on their recent successes and add another trophy to their collection.

As the teams left the pitch, the contrast in emotions was stark. Al Hilal’s players celebrated their triumph with their fans, who filled the stadium with cheers and chants. Meanwhile, Ronaldo, despite his lone goal, could only look on as Al Hilal once again lifted the coveted Saudi Super Cup trophy. The defeat serves as a reminder that even with a star-studded lineup, success in football requires more than individual brilliance; it requires a collective effort and resilience, something Al Hilal demonstrated in abundance.