The 1/8 final in the Saudi King’s Cup saw Al-Nasr lock horns with Al-Ittifaq in Riyadh, delivering a tightly contested clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Al-Nasr edged out a 1-0 victory, with the decisive moment arriving in the 107th minute when Sadio Mane, the Senegalese forward for Al-Nasr, found the back of the net. A late twist came in the first half when Al-Nasr midfielder Anderson Talisca was shown a red card during stoppage time, a sending-off that briefly tilted the balance of the game. Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese star for Al-Nasr, spent the entire match on the pitch but was unable to influence the proceedings in a meaningful way, enduring a quiet evening despite the team’s triumph.
The result marked a memorable win for Al-Nasr as they progressed deeper into the tournament. The atmosphere in Riyadh was electric, with supporters from both sides providing a chorus of relentless encouragement and the kind of intensity that only a domestic knockout fixture can generate. The match demonstrated Al-Nasr’s resilience, as they navigated the setback of an early red card to secure a late winner that sent the stadium into a frenzy and left Al-Ittifaq to reflect on what might have been.
Looking ahead, Al-Nasr is scheduled to face Al-Khaleej in a Saudi championship fixture on November 4. The kickoff is set for 21:00 in Moscow time, a reminder of how international time zones intersect with domestic leagues in modern football. On the same day, Al-Ittifaq will meet Al-Raed, continuing the busy calendar that characterizes the Saudi football season and testing both clubs’ tactical depth and squad fitness as the title race and cup campaigns intensify.
Earlier in the year, Ronaldo’s arrival at Al-Nasr was announced with a contract reportedly valued at 200 million euros per year. The package was said to include additional performance-related bonuses for Ronaldo and his family, signaling a bold investment in high-profile talent aimed at elevating the club’s profile on and off the field. Since joining, Ronaldo has been part of a broader strategy to raise the competitive standard of the squad while expanding Al-Nasr’s reach in domestic competitions and regional football circles.
In a separate note from the season’s broader narrative, Ronaldo had previously engaged in public exchanges about Ballon d’Or debates, including remarks surrounding Lionel Messi’s eighth win. Those moments contributed to the ongoing dialogue about individual awards, club ambitions, and the evolving dynamics of star players in the league. As the campaign advances, fans and analysts will be watching how Ronaldo and his teammates translate their star power into tangible results across cup ties and league fixtures alike.