Cristiano Ronaldo fires Al Nassr into Saudi Super Cup final against Al Hilal

Portuguese forward assists the first goal and scores the second in 2-0 win over Al Taawoun

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring Al Nassr's second goal against Al Taawoun in the Saudi Super Cup semi-finals. Photo: Al Nassr FC

Cristiano Ronaldo started the Saudi football season in style on Wednesday by starring in Al Nassr's 2-0 Super Cup semi-final win over Al Taawoun.

Ronaldo, 39, assisted Nassr's first goal for Saudi winger Ayman Yahya in the eighth minute at Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium in Abha before scoring to double his side's advantage 12 minutes into the second half.

The victory sends Nassr through to a showdown on Saturday with reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal, who defeated Al Ahli on penalties in Tuesday's other semi-final after the match ended 1-1.

Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino had opened the scoring for Ahli on the hour mark, but their hopes of a shock victory against the all-conquering Hilal were dashed when Serbian striker Aleksandr Mitrovic levelled in the 90th minute.

Ronaldo, still searching for his first major trophy with Nassr since joining the Riyadh club in January 2023, set up Nassr's opening goal by poking Sadio Mane's low cross into the path of unmarked Yahya, who slid a first-time left-footed shot into the net.

Taawoun had a great chance to equalise in the 19th minute but Nassr goalkeeper Bento was quick off his line to save from full-back Fahad Bin Jumaiya.

Nassr then had two golden opportunities to double their advantage before the half-time break, but Mane's tame shot was comfortably tipped wide by Taawoun stopper Mailson, before the impressive Otavio slid a perfectly weighted through ball into Yahya, who shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Soon after the interval, Ronaldo should have done better with his shot from inside the area but his effort was hit straight at Mailson as Nassr continued to press for a second. Moments later, Otavio lofted a wonderful ball over the Taawoun defence into Yahya but the winger couldn't find the finish.

Ronaldo then scored the second goal his team deserved as the Portuguese forward showed excellent movement in the area to pick out Sultan Al Ghannam's cross and fire his shot beyond Mailson. Ronaldo could have scored another but lashed his left-footed effort in the 65th minute high and wide.

Senegalese forward Mane should have made it 3-0 in injury time when he was played through and had the entire Taawoun half to run into, although his finish was poor and comfortably saved by the opposition goalkeeper.

A satisfactory victory was soured in injury time when Marcelo Brozovic was given a straight red card for a clumsy tackle. The Croatian midfielder was initially shown a yellow but it was upgraded following a VAR consultation and he will now miss Saturday's final against Hilal.

Nassr, Pro League runners-up last season, begin their league campaign with a home match against Al Raed, while Taawoun, who placed an impressive fourth, host Al Feiha, with both games taking place on Thursday.