RIYADH –l In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Saudi football, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr has been eliminated from the King Cup of Champions following a dramatic 3-1 penalty shootout defeat to Al-Wehda in the quarter-finals tonight.
The match ended 1-1 after extra time at the King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, with Al-Nassr failing to capitalize on numerous chances before crumbling under the pressure of penalties.
Match Breakdown: How the Drama Unfolded
The night started brightly for Al-Nassr, who dominated possession and created several clear opportunities in the first half. Cristiano Ronaldo came close in the 28th minute, forcing a spectacular save from Al-Wehda goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi.
However, against the run of play, Al-Wehda struck first in the 57th minute when Brazilian forward Craig Goodwin capitalized on a defensive error to slot home past Nawaf Al-Aqidi.
Al-Nassr pushed desperately for an equalizer, with Ronaldo seeing two more chances go begging before Anderson Talisca finally broke through in the 89th minute, sending the match to extra time with a clinical header.
The Penalty Shootout Heartbreak
The extra 30 minutes saw both teams visibly fatigued, setting the stage for a dramatic penalty shootout that would ultimately spell the end of Al-Nassr's King Cup dreams:
Round 1: Ronaldo scored confidently for Al-Nassr
Round 1: Al-Wehda's Hussain Al-Eisa converted
Round 2: Marcelo Brozović's shot saved by Mohamedi
Round 2: Al-Wehda scored to take 2-1 lead
Round 3: Otávio's penalty hit the crossbar
Round 4:Al-Wehda sealed victory with their third successful penalty
What This Means for Al-Nassr's Season
This elimination represents a massive blow to Al-Nassr's trophy ambitions this season. The King Cup was seen as their most realistic chance for silverware after falling behind in the Saudi Pro League title race.
For Cristiano Ronaldo, the defeat continues his frustrating run in domestic cup competitions since joining the Saudi club. The Portuguese superstar was visibly distraught at the final whistle, walking straight down the tunnel without acknowledging opponents or fans.
Reactions Pour In
Al-Nassr manager Luis Castro told reporters in a tense post-match press conference: "This is football. We dominated the game, created more chances, but football is about scoring goals. We failed when it mattered most. The players are devastated, but we must regroup quickly."
Al-Wehda coach Georgios Donis celebrated what he called "the biggest victory in our club's recent history," adding: "My players showed incredible heart. To beat a team with Al-Nassr's quality takes something special."
Looking Ahead
With their King Cup campaign over, Al-Nassr must now focus entirely on:
1. Catching Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League
2. Their upcoming AFC Champions League quarter-final
3. Securing a top-two league finish for next season's ACL qualification
The pressure will undoubtedly intensify on manager Luis Castro and his star-studded squad following this shocking early exit from a competition they were heavily favored to win.
The King Cup of Champions continues tomorrow with the remaining quarter-final matches, but tonight will be remembered for one of the biggest upsets in recent tournament history.
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