Al Nassr Struck by Sudden Twist: Mané Scores & Sent Off, Ronaldo Left Helpless

Super Cup Nightmare!
On the evening of August 19, at Hong Kong Stadium, a dramatic clash unfolded in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal between Al Nassr and Al Ittihad. What began as a star-studded showdown quickly turned into chaos after Sadio Mané’s shocking red card.

Bright Start: Mané Scores First

In just the 9th minute, Brozović delivered a brilliant assist and Mané fired a stunning volley to give Al Nassr the lead. Confidence surged throughout the team, as if victory was already within reach.

But only seven minutes later, Al Ittihad struck back. Diaby’s breakthrough and cross found Berghuis, who calmly tapped into an empty net to level the score.

Turning Point: VAR Upgrades to Red Card

The real twist came in the 24th minute. While challenging for the ball, Mané collided with goalkeeper Shaqeedy and accidentally stepped on his stomach. Initially shown a yellow card, VAR intervened, and the referee upgraded it to a straight red.

Chaos followed. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo protested with open arms, shook his head in disbelief, and even looked on the verge of tears—but the decision stood.

Ronaldo’s Title Dream Shattered Again

Reduced to ten men, Al Nassr struggled. For 40-year-old Ronaldo, who had set his sights on winning the first trophy of the season, the red card was another crushing blow. Mané’s dismissal left the team’s championship hopes in jeopardy.

Conclusion

What should have been a classic duel between football superstars turned into a tale of frustration. From hero to villain, Mané’s night changed in just 15 minutes, while Ronaldo’s helpless gestures reflected the tough road ahead for Al Nassr’s title chase.