Cristiano Ronaldo’s desire of adding to an existing attractive list of achievements with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia was thwarted on Monday as his side were bundled out of the King’s Cup.
Al Nassr lost at their home turf, the Alawaal Park at King Saud University in Riyadh by a lone goal netted in the 23rd minute of the encounter.
Al Wehda’s forward Jean-David Beauguel scored after the home side failed to clear a high ball inside the area. The attacker pounced with his back to goal as he was left unmarked to send a scissors kick past Nawaf Al-Aqidi.
The away side who last won the King’s Cup in 1966 played almost the entire duration of the second 45 with a man down after Abdullah Al-Hafith was given a second yellow card for a poor challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al Nassr couldn’t find a way to score against Al Wehda
Despite the numerical advantage, Al Nassr still could not penetrate an impenetrable Al Wehda’s side who were resilient all 90 minutes.
This was a side that Al Nassr smashed on the 9th of February 2023 by 0-4 with Cristiano Ronaldo netting all the goals for his team.
To add to that, Al Nassr have defeated Al Wehda in both legs in the Saudi Pro League this campaign but it is José Luis Sierra’s side who will progress to the final to face Al-Hilal.
Dinko Jelicic side had earlier seen an attempt saved at the back post by Munir Mohamed off an effort from Cristiano Ronaldo and that was one of the best chances in the clash.
The manager of Al Wehda José Luis Sierra tweaked his team, substituting the goal scorer and introducing an additional man in defence which further frustrated the home side.
The Video Assistant Referee wasn’t also buying into Al-Nassr’s plans as the centre referee called for play to go on after three penalty appeals were examined.
Al Nassr’s best chance showed fort in the dying embers of the clash when Cristiano Ronaldo reacted quickest to a loose ball only to see it sail over the top of the crossbar.
The end of the season can’t come too soon enough for Cristiano Ronaldo
It was another bad day in the office for Al Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo in what has been a wishy-washy season for the Portuguese attacker.
After exiting Manchester United in controversial circumstances last November, he has desired for a positive improvement in his fortunes in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr.
However, the team tutored by Dinko Jelicic were eliminated from the Super Cup in January and they are now out of the King’s Cup.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo let out his frustration on the Al Nassr bench at half-time of the King’s Cup clash against Al-Wehda.
Al-Nassr were behind 1-0 at the halfway point of their semi-final encounter and the 38-year-old wasn’t happy with the possibility of a trophyless campaign.
And Ronaldo looked angry as he strolled to the changing room, shaking his head with a disgruntled look on his face before directing his frustrations at the Al-Nassr coaching team.
As the former Manchester United forward moved towards the touchline, he changed direction to the dugout before stopping and putting his arms out as he yelled about something to club staff.
They are three points behind Al-Ittihad who sit at the summit of the Saudi Pro League having played a match more.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s side would be hoping for a positive change in form in the 6 games remaining to play this season as they are winless in their last two games in the Pro League.
Match Highlights Below:
