Ronaldo denied first Saudi title as Al-Nassr fall to Al-Ahli on penalties

A clinical penalty shootout secured Al-Ahli SFC's second Saudi Super Cup triumph after a 2-2 draw, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo and Inigo Martinez's side empty-handed.

Al-Ahli SFC, who last lifted the trophy in 2016, avoided defeat in the final at the Hong Kong Stadium thanks to an 89th-minute goal from Brazilian Roger Ibanez. From the spot, they converted all five of their penalties, while Al Nassr saw their fourth, taken by Abdullah Al Khairabi, saved by Senegalese goalkeeper Eduard Mendy.

Cristiano Ronaldo was left waiting for his first trophy in Saudi Arabia. The Portuguese star's team, who opened the scoring in the 41st minute from the penalty spot, could not hold on to their lead, and in added time at the end of the first half, Ivorian Franck Kessie equalised.

Al-Nassr, managed by Jorge Jesus and boasting players such as Spaniard Inigo Martinez, Frenchman Kingsley Coman and Portuguese Joao Felix, regained the lead through Croatian Marcelo Brozovic in the 82nd minute. However, with just a minute to go, Brazilian Roger Ibanez latched onto a ball from Algerian Riyad Mahrez to rescue Matthias Jaissle's side and force a penalty shootout.

Al-Ahli SFC scored all five of their penalties through Ivan Toney, Franck Kessie, Riyad Mahrez, Firas Al Birakan and, finally, Galeno, whose strike sealed the victory. For Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic and Joao Felix all converted. Goalkeeper Mendy saved Abdullah Al Khaibari's effort, the fourth, rendering the fifth unnecessary.