Cristiano Ronaldo scores winning brace before succumbing to injury in Arab Club Champions Cup final
- Al Nassr beat Al Hilal 2-1 in final of Arab Club Champions Cup
- Ronaldo scores match-winning brace and claims first piece of silverware in Saudi Arabia
- Veteran forward unable to complete match due to knee injury and was substituted on a buggy
By Sean Walsh
Cristiano Ronaldo came up with a match-winning double as ten-man Al Nassr beat Al Hilal 2-1 in the Arab Club Champions Cup final on Saturday.
The Portugal superstar earned his first piece of silverware - a trophy that looks deceptively like the FIFA World Cup - since making the move to Saudi Arabia at the end of 2022.
They saw off the threat of a star-studded Al Hilal side - which included the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Malcom - at King Fahd Stadium to begin the new season with a major honour.
Al Nassr fell behind shortly after half-time when Michael headed in at the far post and pulled out Ronado's signature celebration.
Their evening went from bad to worse when Abdulelah Al Amri was given his marching orders heading into the final 20 minutes.
But Ronaldo and Al Nassr were not to be deterred. With 15 minutes left, the veteran forward converted a low cross on the counter attack to draw level.
The match went into extra-time and Ronaldo popped up with the winner on 98 minutes, which was allowed to stand after a lengthy check for offside.
Ronaldo was unable to complete the match however and left the pitch on a buggy after sustaining a heavy injury to his knee in the closing stages.
Nevertheless, he shook off the knock to celebrate winning a trophy with his Al Nassr teammates at full-time.
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