Cristiano Ronaldo Reduced to Tears as Al Nassr Lose King’s Cup Final to Al Hilal on Penalties

Having secured the Saudi Pro League title, Al Hilal headed into the final, looking to extend their history-making season by securing the King’s Cup of Champions against rivals Al Nassr, looking for their first silverware of the season.

Al Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo were headed into the final buoyed by their form at season’s end, looking to upset the all-conquering Al Hilal.

Al Hilal started the game on a high tempo, taking the lead through their dominant center forward, Aleksandar Mitrovic, in the 7th minute. However, Jorge Jesus’s situation got complicated when goalkeeper David Ospina was sent off in the 56th minute.

Al Nassr’s Ayman Yahya grabbed a late equalizer to send the game extra time between red cards issued to Al Hilal’s Ali Bulayhi and Kalidou Koulibaly in an action-packed final.

With renewed hope, Al Nassr pushed for the winner in extra time but to no avail. Al Hilal were well-regimented, and they held on to take the match to a penalty shootout.

Cristiano Ronaldo collapsed to his knees as nine-man Al Hilal prevailed in the penalty shootout 5-4 and added to their success this season.

The 39-year-old Portuguese international, who set a new Saudi Pro League goalscoring record with 35 goals in one season, was consoled as he was led off the pitch and sat on the bench with tears in his eyes.

After Al Hilal’s Ruben Neves missed his opening penalty, Alex Telles also missed for Al Nassr, with the two sides converting their subsequent four penalties. Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved Al Nassr’s final spot-kicks to help Al Hilal seal a domestic double.

The defeat was especially difficult for Ronaldo, whose only silverware since his move to the Saudi Pro League is last year’s Arab Club Champions Cup, despite scoring 58 goals in 64 matches for Al Nassr since joining.