Cristiano Ronaldo receives red card for elbow incident in Saudi Super Cup clash
During the Saudi Super Cup semifinal, Cristiano Ronaldo was shown a red card for elbowing an opponent in the match between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, leading to a controversial moment in the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo received a red card for elbowing an opponent in a match between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal during the Saudi Super Cup semifinal. The incident took place towards the end of the game in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Ronaldo was involved in a scuffle with Ali Al-Bulayhi from Al-Hilal during stoppage time in the second half.
Sadio Mané was shown a straight red card for thrusting his elbow at center back Al-Bulayhi’s chest and throat, then appeared to raise his fist towards the referee.
Following Ronaldo’s departure, Sadio Mané did manage to score for Al-Nassr. However, earlier goals from Salem Al-Dawsari and Malcom secured a 2-1 victory for Al-Hilal.
Al-Hilal secured their 33rd consecutive win in a row, continuing their impressive streak under manager Jorge Jesus. Last month, they set a new record for the most consecutive wins in men's soccer.
In the first half, it seemed like Otávio had scored a goal for Al-Hilal, but it was disallowed for being offside. It wasn't until the 61st minute that Al-Dawsari finally scored, giving his team a 1-0 lead.
Ronaldo remonstrates with the linesman.
Ronaldo remonstrates with the linesman.
Stringer/Reuters
Malcom, who had hit the post with a long-range effort minutes before, soon scored his side’s second later in the half with a header into the ground.
There was no turning back for Al-Nassr after Ronaldo's red card, even though Mané scored a consolation goal.
This wasn't the first time the 39-year-old player had disciplinary problems in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, he was suspended for one match and fined for making an inappropriate gesture towards fans during a Saudi Pro League match.
Unfortunately, Ronaldo and Al-Nassr's recent loss indicates that they may finish the season empty-handed. Additionally, being eliminated from the Asian Champions League, the team currently trails behind Al-Hilal by 12 points in the SPL standings.
On the other hand, Al-Hilal is set to go up against Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup final in Abu Dhabi this Thursday.
Editor's P/S:
The highly anticipated Saudi Super Cup semifinal match between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal took an unexpected turn when Cristiano Ronaldo received a red card for elbowing an opponent. This incident, coupled with Al-Hilal's impressive 33-game winning streak, has cast a shadow over Ronaldo's recent performance. It's clear that the Portuguese superstar is still adjusting to his new surroundings and may need more time to find his footing in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo's red card and Al-Nassr's subsequent loss raise concerns about the team's prospects for the season. Despite his prolific goal-scoring record, Ronaldo's disciplinary issues could prove to be a major obstacle for Al-Nassr's ambitions. The team will need to find a way to balance his attacking prowess with a greater level of discipline if they want to challenge for major silverware.
