Saudi Gazette report
HONG KONG — Sadio Mané and João Félix struck as 10-man Al Nassr edged Al Ittihad 2-1 in a dramatic Saudi Tremendous Cup semi-final on Tuesday in Hong Kong, securing their place within the last regardless of a first-half purple card.
Mané opened the scoring within the tenth minute, changing a exact go from Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozović to offer Al Nassr an early benefit after a dominant begin.
However Al Ittihad hit again rapidly. Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn capitalized on defensive confusion to equalize within the sixteenth minute, making it 1-1 and resetting the tempo of a frenetic first half.
The match took a serious flip within the twenty fifth minute when Saudi referee Khalid Al-Turais confirmed a straight purple card to Mané, lowering Nassr to 10 males and elevating questions on their capability to maintain strain.
But even down a person, Al Nassr confirmed resilience and tactical self-discipline. Led by Brozović in midfield and with Cristiano Ronaldo orchestrating assaults, the Riyadh giants remained in management.
The decisive second got here within the sixtieth minute. Ronaldo slipped a superbly weighted ball via to Félix, who calmly slotted previous the Ittihad goalkeeper.
The purpose was briefly reviewed by VAR however stood, giving Al Nassr a deserved lead as soon as once more.
Regardless of late strain from Ittihad, together with waves of assaults within the last minutes, Al Nassr’s protection held agency.
The backline, buoyed by a cohesive group effort, managed to repel each try because the group closed out a gutsy win.
Ronaldo’s imaginative and prescient and management, together with Brozović’s management and Félix’s scientific ending, ensured Al Nassr booked their place within the August 23 last, the place they may face the winner of Wednesday’s semi-final between Al Ahli and Al Qadsiah.
