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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.
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. — Reuters.
Ronaldo’s 12 career red cards
Aston Villa vs MAN UTD (2004) — Yellow cards for diving and chipping goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen after the whistle had gone.
Man City vs MAN UTD (2006) — Straight red card for a high tackle on former United legend Andy Cole, of all people.
Portsmouth vs MAN UTD (2007) — Straight red card for headbutting midfielder Richard Hughes.
Man City vs MAN UTD (2008) — Yellow card for a cynical foul on Shaun Wright-Phillips, second yellow for a deliberate handball.
REAL MADRID vs Almeria (2009) — Ronaldo’s first home red card. One yellow for taking his shirt off to celebrate a goal. A second yellow for aiming a kick at midfielder Juanma Ortiz.
REAL MADRID vs Malaga (2010) — Straight red card for a stray elbow which fractured defender Patrick Mtiliga’s nose. Ronaldo said afterwards: “If he wasn’t 5 foot 6, I might have caught him in the chest.
REAL MADRID vs Atletico Madrid (2013) — Ronaldo received a straight red card for a high kick in Atletico captain Gabi’s face as Real lost the Copa del Rey final 2-1 on home soil.
Athletic Bilbao vs REAL MADRID (2014) — Straight red card for striking an opponent in the face during a skirmish before a corner.
Cordoba vs REAL MADRID (2015) — Straight red card for kicking left-back Edimar and pushing centre-back Jose Angel Crespo
Barcelona vs REAL MADRID (2017) — Ronaldo made it a red card in the Manchester derby, Madrid derby and El Clasico in the 2017 Spanish Super Cup. The Portugal star received yellow cards for removing his shirt to celebrate a goal at the Nou Camp and diving. He made matters worse by aiming a slight push at the referee after getting sent off.
Valencia vs JUVENTUS (2018) — Controversial red card after defender Jeison Murillo threw himself to the ground as the pair jostled for position.
Al-Hilal vs AL-NASSR (2024) — Little doubt about this one as Ronaldo appeared to swing his elbow twice at defender Ali Al-Bulayhi. — Sun.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter