Monday, December 23, 2024

Ronaldo leaves pitch in tears after missing out on silverware in chaotic final

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Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after missing out on the King’s Cup of Champions as Al Hilal claimed victory over Al Nassr on penalties.

Ronaldo would be cursing Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was on the scoresheet again for Al Hilal against Al Nassr before Ayman Yahya made it 1-1 to send the match to extra-time then penalties.

Cristiano Ronaldo nearly scored an outrageous bicycle kick

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also came close to giving his side an incredible equaliser when he tried an outrageous bicycle kick before half-time.

While the former Manchester United star connected with the ball sweetly, his effort cannoned off the post while Al Hilal goalkeeper Bono could only watch.

Ronaldo looked scorned after watching the ball trickle away while Mitrovic had put Al Hilal ahead after just seven minutes as penalties were needed to separate the two sides in a match that saw three red cards late into the match.

Both Ruben Neves and Alex Telles missed their penalties for their respective sides before Mitrovic tucked his effort home before Ronaldo got Al Nassr up and running as the spot-kicks went to sudden death.

Ali Alhassan missed the crucial penalty, though, that saw Al Hilal reclaim their King’s Cup of Champions crown as Ronaldo broke down in tears on the pitch and needed to be helped off.

In normal time, former Arsenal star and Al Nassr goalkeeper David Ospina was sent off 10 minutes after the break.

After former Barcelona ace Malcom was released down the middle, the Colombian rushed off his line and wiped the forward out as well as handballing outside of his box.

The referee had no choice but to send Ospina off, which signalled a brave substitution with ex-Liverpool star Sadio Mane sacrificed.

Ronaldo broke down in tears after losing on penalties
Ronaldo was left frustrated by Al HilalCredit: AFP
Koulibaly was sent off in harsh circumstances

But with time running out, Al Hilal saw two players sent off in the final minutes when Ali Albulayhi was first sent off for two quick yellow cards when the ball was out of play.

Al Nassr then immediately equalised from the throw-in when Yahya headed home before further drama as Kalidou Koulibaly was also sent off for a second yellow when he was deemed to have kicked the goalkeeper in the final seconds of normal time.

 

The decision to send off the former Chelsea star has not gone down well, though, with fans shocked with one saying: “How is that a red card?”

Another said: “This is not a red card.”

While a third put: “How can he control himself there?”

Al Nassr, meanwhile, have not won the competition since 1990 – the same year the cup was abandoned before it was restarted in 2007.

And their record against Al Hilal is miserable, as well, and they have not beaten them in their last five meetings, losing four with Ronaldo even being sent off for elbowing his opponent.

With one year currently left on his contract, Ronaldo will be desperate to get more joy over their rivals next term.

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