Cristiano Ronaldo is back, baby! Al-Nassr superstar begins new season with goal & assist against Al-Taawoun in Saudi Super Cup semi-final as more silverware moves into sight

After a disappointing finish to his Euro 2024 campaign with Portugal, Ronaldo got back to competitive action on Wednesday evening and lived up to the expectations with a scintillating display. He was in the thick of the action right from the first whistle and set up Ayman Yahya to score in the eighth minute with the faintest of touches after Sadio Mane bulldozed his way from the left flank.

Although Al-Taawoun did get glimpses of Al-Nassr's goal, Brazilian 'keeper Bento produced a couple of fantastic saves in the first half to preserve the lead. The visitors could have increased their advantage before the break after Ronaldo found an unmarked Mane, but the former Liverpool striker was denied by another Brazilian, Mailson Santos, in the Al-Taawoun goal.

Nonetheless, the Knights of Najd did not have to wait long for their insurance goal as Ronaldo resumed regular service with his first goal of the 2024-25 season. Yahya did the hard work on the right wing to find right-back Sultan Al-Ghannam, and the Portuguese completed the move with a neat finish in the 57th minute. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner could have completed his brace on his return to club football but the woodwork denied him the opportunity.

Who else? After failing to score a single goal at Euro 2024, Ronaldo put in an impressive showing to shut up his critics. He has been gearing up for the new campaign for quite some time and was even spotted working out during his holidays. Now, the 39-year-old is reaping the benefits as he delivered a sharp performance in the attacking third after several dismal outings at the European Championship.

Marcelo Brozovic got his marching orders deep into added time at the end of the game after he mistimed a challenge. The Croatian went for the ball but got nothing of it and instead caught the knee of his opponent. Initially, the referee did not flash the red but VAR intervened which forced the official to reverse his decision and send him off. It is a massive blow for manager Luis Castro, as the midfield general will be sorely missed in the Super Cup final against bitter rivals Al-Hilal.

Ronaldo will look to pick up his second piece of silverware with Al-Nassr, after winning the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023, when he faces Al-Hilal in the final of the Saudi Super Cup on August 17.