Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo red-carded as Al Hilal win Saudi Super Cup semi-final

Abu Dhabi: Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off late on as his side lost 2-1 to city rivals Al Hilal in their Saudi Super Cup semi-final after a heated clash in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

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Portugal’s record scorer was shown a straight red card four minutes from time for elbowing an opponent when his side were 2-0 down before they scored a late consolation.

Jorge Jesus’ Al Hilal opened the scoring in the 62nd minute when Salem Al Dawsari slotted the ball into the bottom right corner from a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic flick after a quick break.

Brazilian forward Malcolm doubled the lead in the 72nd with a fine header after Michael’s long cross from the right found his compatriot unmarked in the centre of the box.

Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane got Al-Nassr on the scoresheet in stoppage time off Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s pass.

Al Hilal will seek a record-extending fourth title in Thursday’s final when they face Karim Benzema’s Al Ittihad, who beat Al Wehda 2-1 in the earlier semi-final on Monday.