Sadio Mane: Ex-Liverpool Star Reacts After Leading Al Nassr to Victory Over Al Fahya in Cristiano Ronaldo’s Absence
FootballRonaldo, Mane Lead Al Nassr to King's Cup Final After Beating Al Khaleej at Home
- Al-Nassr cruised past Al-Khaleej to reach the King's Cup final
- Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane sealed the win
- Al-Nassr made it to the cup final for the first time since 2020
PAY ATTENTION: Checkout Fixtures; Live Scores; Results and Tables section on Sports Brief and never miss out on the action ⚽️
Al-Nassr reached the final of Saudi Arabian knockout tournament, the King's Cup, thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo double and a solitary strike from Sadio Mane on Wednesday, May 1.
Following last season's setback in the semi-finals against Al-Wehda, the Knights of Najd were clearly determined to avoid a repeat, notching a convincing 3-1 win over their opponents.
How Ronaldo, Mane led Al-Nassr to King's Cup final
In front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Al-Awwal Park, Luis Castro's men made early attempts to break the deadlock, with Portuguese duo, Ronaldo and Otavio, testing the Al-Khaleej defence, only to be denied by Ibrahim Sehic.
Hey there: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
However, the veteran forward's left-footed volley in the 17th minute found the back of the net, marking his first goal in four appearances for the Riyadh-based club and giving his team the lead, per SportBIBLE.
Subsequently, when awarded a penalty, Ronaldo selflessly passed the opportunity to Mane, who confidently doubled the home side's advantage with an expertly taken spot kick, beIN Sports reports.
Despite a goal from Saudi international, Aiman Yahya, being disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee just before half-time, Ronaldo extended the lead with his second goal, capitalising on a loose ball in the box three minutes before the hour mark.
Although Fawaz Al-Torais scored a consolation goal for Al-Khaleej, it was not enough to change the outcome, as Ronaldo and his teammates secured the crucial win, setting up a final showdown with Al-Hilal.
Sadio Mane: The Hilarious Moment Commentator Trolls Al Nassr Star for Missing Penalty
FootballIn the other semi-final, the Blue Waves overcame Al-Ittihad, setting the stage for what promises to be an enthralling Grand Finale.
Fans laud Ronaldo for gifting Mane penalty
Sports Brief also reported on fans lauding Ronaldo for his selfless act during Al-Nassr's semi-final tie against Al Khaleej, handing over penalty-taking duties to teammate, Mane.
Despite facing accusations of being a self-centered player, the 39-year-old surprised many with his gesture, clearly attempting to emphasise team success over personal accolades.