Al Shorta, reigning champions of Iraq, arrived with an Opta Power rating of 74.6, slightly trailing behind Al Nassr’s 77.7.Notably, Al Shorta’s roster boasted a contingent of Iraqi national team players, a squad slated to encounter Vietnam in the 2024 Asian Cup group stage and the second round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Al Shorta played exceptionally well until conceding, effectively containing luminaries such as Ronaldo, Mane, and Marcelo Brozovic.
Ronaldo’s celebration at the 31st-minute mark encapsulated his scoring prowess, stemming from Mane’s dynamic and transformative play. However, VAR intervened to determine that the 38-year-old superstar had been marginally offside, negating the goal. Subsequently, Ronaldo nearly set up Alex Telles for a goal, only for the defender’s shot to ricochet off the crossbar.
As the final whistle signaled the end of the encounter, Al Nassr’s players embraced each other in jubilation.
A poignant moment emerged as they celebrated with goalkeeper Alaqidi, whose critical late-game save proved pivotal. In the stands, a devoted fan ignited a flare, symbolizing Al Nassr’s triumphant qualification for the final.
Their ultimate challenger in the championship bout will emerge from the ranks of Al Hilal or Al Shabab, with the decisive showdown scheduled for August 12th.
Player Ratings for Al Nassr: Ronaldo and Mane Emerge as Standouts
Cristiano Ronaldo, the match’s standout performer, notched the highest rating for Al Nassr. While he managed to score twice, one of his goals was flagged offside. His performance merited a noteworthy rating of 9.1. Sadio Mane, a pivotal contributor, secured the second-highest score with an impressive 8.7.
Additional Ratings:
Talisca: 7.1
Fofana: 7.1
Alkhaibari: 7.2
Brozovic: 7.3
Alex Telles: 7.2
Madu: 7.0
Ali Oujami: 7.5
Al Ghanam: 7.3
In a match-defining moment, goalkeeper Al Aqidi executed an exceptional save in the closing stages of the second half, cementing his rating of 7.2.
In summary, the collective brilliance of Al Nassr’s players, particularly Ronaldo and Mane, overcame adversities and propelled them into the final stages of the King Salman Cup.
