KSAsportz Report
HONG KONG — In a thrilling conclusion to the Saudi Super Cup final, Al Ahli emerged victorious over Al Nassr, clinching their first trophy of the 2025-26 Saudi football season after a dramatic penalty shootout that ended 5-3 on Saturday in Hong Kong.
The match concluded 2-2 in regulation time, highlighted by Cristiano Ronaldo’s milestone 100th goal for Al Nassr. The Portuguese superstar’s goal came in the 38th minute, converting a penalty awarded after a handball by Ali Majrashi. Since joining Al Nassr in December 2022, Ronaldo has netted an impressive 74 goals in the Roshn Saudi League alone, contributing to a total of 100 goals across all competitions.
Al Nassr’s lead was short-lived; Franck Kessié equalized in the first-half stoppage time with a curling shot from the edge of the box, continuing his stellar performance after scoring twice in the semifinal against Al Qadsiah.
The second half was marked by intense action on both sides. Ronaldo had a chance thwarted by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, while Feras Al Buraikan missed a golden opportunity by hitting the post.
Marcelo Brozovic restored the lead for Al Nassr in the 82nd minute, capitalizing on a turnover from Kessié to fire a shot past Mendy. However, Al Ahli struck back in the 89th minute when Roger Ibañez connected with a header from a corner taken by Galeno, as Al Nassr’s goalkeeper Bento fumbled the clearance, leading the match into penalties.
In the penalty shootout, all key players converted their kicks — Toney, Ronaldo, Kessié, Brozovic, Mahrez, Félix, and Al Buraikan each scored, while Mendy made a critical save against Abdullah Al Khaibari. Galeno stepped up and successfully converted the decisive kick, sealing a hard-fought 5-3 victory and securing the Super Cup title for Al Ahli.
This victory adds to Al Ahli’s accolades, which already include their historic AFC Champions League Elite title won in May, further solidifying their presence in Saudi football. In contrast, Al Nassr faced disappointment despite Ronaldo’s historic milestone, reflecting the team’s ongoing struggles.