Leaders-Mena magazine provided a live update coverage of Saudi Arabia’s Super Cup semifinal clash between Al Taawoun and Al Nassr.
Fulltime: Al Taawoun 0-2 Al Nassr
Scorers: Ayman Yahya 8′, Cristiano Ronaldo 57′
Yellow cards:
Fahad Al-Jumayah, Waleed Al-Ahmad, João Pedro (Al Taawoun)
Ali Lajami (Al Nassr)
Red Cards:
Marcelo Brozovic
Fulltime: Al Nassr advance to the Saudi Super Cup final to face Al Hilal on Saturday.
88′ Double subs for Al Nassr: Mukhtar Ali in for Abdullah Al-Khaibari; Mohammed Maran replaces Sadio Mane.
81′ Sub for Al Taawoun: Sultan Mandash replaces Saad Al-Nasser.
81′ Substitution for Al Nassr: Abdulrahman Ghareeb in for Cristiano Ronaldo.
77’ Al Taawoun’s Joao Pedro heads Mohammed Al-Kuwaykibi’s cross from close range, but it goes too high.
76′ Sub for Al Nassr: Talisca replaces Ayman Yahya.
70’ With half an hour remaining, Al Nassr maintain control of the game, holding 57% possession.
67′ Substitution for Al Taawoun: Ibrahim Al-Shuail replaces Ahmed Bahusayn
65’ WHAT A CHANCE… CR7 hits the woodwork with a left-footed shot from the centre of the box.
(GOAL) Cristiano Ronaldo receives a cross from Sultan Al-Ghannam to unleash a right-footed shot from close range to the bottom right corner.
57′ GOAAAAAAL Cristiano Ronaldo doubles the score for Al Nassr
49′ Cristiano Ronaldo’s left-footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
2nd half is underway.
Halftime.
40’ Al Nassr are in control of the game with 60% possession.
30’ Al Nassr maintain the lead as the first half reaches the half-hour mark.
19’Al Nassr’s newly signed Brazilian goalkeeper Bento makes a brilliant save to deny Fahad Al-Jumayah a goal.
(GOAL) Al Nassr’s Ayman Yahya scored with a left-footed shot from the center of the box, assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo.
8′ GOAAAAAL for Al Nassr.
5′ Al Nassr are pushing forward in search of an early goal, while Al Taawoun rely on counterattacks.
0′ 1st half is underway.
18: 40 The players are warming up ahead of the game.
Al Taawoun starting XI: Mailson; Fahad Al-Jumayah, Waleed Al-Ahmad, Andrei Girotto, Saad Al-Nasser; Aschraf El Mahdioui, Flavio, Ahmed Bahusayn; Mohammed Al-Kuwaykibi, João Pedro, Musa Barrow
Al Nassr starting XI: Bento; Alex Telles, Ali Lajami, Aymeric Laporte, Sultan Al-Ghannam; Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Otavio, Marcelo Brozovic; Ayman Yahya, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane
18:00 Al Nassr’s Brazilian star Talisca was doubtful for the game due to a hamstring strain suffered during the club’s pre-season camp. However, reports suggest he could be available but will likely start on the bench.
17:00 Al Nassr aim to reach the Saudi Super Cup final, hoping to replicate their 2020 triumph when they defeated Al Hilal 3-0, securing the title for the second time in the club’s history. Meanwhile, Al Taawoun are eager to claim their first-ever Super Cup victory.
15:00 Check the probable lineups of Al Taawoun vs. Al Nassr clash
Al Taawoun: Mailson; Fahad Al-Abdulraziq, Andrei Girotto, Muteb Al-Mufarrij, Abdulmalik Al-Shammari; Flávio, Abdullah Al-Hamad, Rayan Fourgi; Mohammed Al-Kuwaykibi, João Pedro, Musa Barrow
Al Nassr: Bento; Alex Telles, Ali Lajami, Aymeric Laporte, Sultan Al-Ghannam; Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Otavio, Marcelo Brozovic; Ayman Yahya, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane
14:00 Al Nassr hold a clear advantage over Al Taawoun. In 34 clashes across all competitions, the Riyadh-based giants won 24 times, while Al Taawoun claimed 6 victories, and four ending in draws. Their sole Super Cup meeting came in 2020. The match ended 1-1 but Al Nassr triumphed after a penalty shootout.
13:00 Al Taawoun, having secured a spot in the Super Cup after finishing fourth in the League standings last season, will be looking to upset the odds when they face Al Nassr. New coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena will be eager to make his mark despite a summer exodus that saw key players leave the club.
12:00 Al Nassr, led by Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo and Senegal’s Sadio Mane, are determined to reach the Super Cup final, seeking victory and redemption against Al Hilal. Al Hilal thwarted their hopes of the Saudi Pro League title and the King’s Cup, intensifying Al Nassr’s drive for triumph.
Venue: Prince Sultan Sport City Stadium (Abha)
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy)
Check the match preview here
