A Cristiano Ronaldo goal was not enough for Al-Nassr as they were trounced 4-1 by rivals Al-Hilal in the Saudi Arabian Super Cup on Saturday.
Ronaldo struck first in the 2024-25 curtain-raiser, tapping Abdulrahman Ghareeb s cutback home shortly before the interval at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium.
However, the five-time Ballon d Or winner was seen angrily gesticulating at his team-mates as Al-Nassr collapsed in the second half, with Al-Hilal – unbeaten Pro League champions last season – running riot.
Former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice in six minutes to take the game away from Al-Nassr, after Sergej Milinkovic-Savic capped a driving run with a powerful finish into the roof of the net for 1-1.
Al-Hilal added further gloss to the scoreline through Malcom with 18 minutes to play, the Brazilian stealing possession from goalkeeper Bento to tap into an unguarded net.
IS THE “DIRIYAH SAUDI SUPER CUP” CHAMPION
Congratulations on our 70th title
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN)
Data Debrief: Al-Hilal ruthless, Ronaldo frustrated
Al-Hilal certainly made the most of their chances on Saturday, scoring four times from just nine attempts totalling 1.8 expected goals (xG).
They were solid at the other end, too, limiting Al-Nassr to 0.77 xG and Ronaldo to just two shots – his 44th-minute opener and a wild 93rd-minute attempt when the game was already up.
Ronaldo was seen gesturing that his team-mates were asleep in the aftermath of Al-Hilal s fourth goal, as Bento s loose touch allowed Malcom in to make it a rout.
