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Cristiano Ronaldo's back in the goals! Superstar ends mini-drought to fire Al-Nassr to King Cup of Champions final at Al-Khaleej's expense

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  • Ronaldo netted brace
  • Had gone two games without a goal
  • Sadio Mane scored penalty
  • Sadio Mane Al-NassrGetty Images

    TELL ME MORE

    Nassr and Khaleej met in the semi-final of the King Cup of Champions on Wednesday and, once again, Ronaldo was central to his side's success, scoring twice to end a mini goal-drought of two games.

    Khaleej had a fine chance to open the scoring but a free header was sent over the crossbar, after Ronaldo saw two efforts saved in the opening 10 minutes.

    The 39-year-old did open the scoring after a quarter of an hour, capitalising on an absolutely terrible piece of goalkeeping. An attempted clearance was blocked, and the ex-Real Madrid superstar was able to spin and loop a half-volley into the bottom corner.

    And a second came through Sadio Mane, as he converted a penalty after a handball in the area; Ronaldo refused to take the kick, allowing the former Liverpool star to step up and find the top corner.

    The Portugal international added a third just before the hour mark, tapping in at the back post after his initial shot was saved.

    Fawaz Al-Torais pulled a goal back late on, as he finished a fine cross, but it was nothing more than a consolation, meaning Nassr have punched their ticket to the final against Al-Hilal.

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  • Cristiano Ronaldo Nassr 2024Getty

    THE MVP

    It has to be Ronaldo. The Portugal superstar was exceptional, scoring a fantastic effort on the spin, as well as a tap-in, and Khaleej simply could not deal with his presence up front. That he also sacrificed a hat-trick by handing Mane the responsibility to score from the penalty spot ensures his spot as the MVP.

  • THE BIG LOSER

    Ibrahim Sehic in the Khaleej goal made a dreadful error to hand Ronaldo his opener. Attempting to clear the ball, he was charged down, and his clearance did not even leave the penalty area. In a semi-final, one simply cannot make an error like that, and he was naturally punished.

  • Aymeric Laporte Al-Nassr 2023-24Getty

    WHAT COMES NEXT?

    Nassr will be back in action this weekend against Al-Wehda, although their title hopes are all but over. They sit nine points behind unbeaten leaders Al-Hilal, although the two teams will play each other before the end of the season, once in the league and again in the final of the King Cup of Champions.

  • MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐⭐⭐