Mane’s goal and red card in Saudi Super Cup

The Saudi Arabian Super Cup Final has already got one participant – Al Nassr, who booked their place and are waiting for the other finalist which will be determined after a second semi-final, which will be played between Al Qadisiyah and Al Ahli on Wednesday. But this semi-final, considering the strength of both teams has been almost like a final. Al Nassr and Al Ittihad played a memorable game in which Cristiano Ronaldo’s team won 2-1 despite being with 10 men since the 25th minute. In recent times, the team in which Karim Benzema leads the line has been more successful, winning 2–1 and 3–2, but this time, Jorge Jesus made a good debut on Al Nassr’s bench and is one step away from his first title in a new club.

Sadio Mane was the actual start in this game. Not only did the Senegal forward scored the opening goal, but he was also sent off after just 25 minutes and left his teammates to fight for over an hour. But Ronaldo and co. didn’t defend all the time. In fact, they managed to score with 10 men after a Ronaldo – Felix combination and are off to the final. Mane volleyed home after a Brozovic assist but Al Ittihad soon equalized through Bergwijn.

In the 26th minute, Mane attempted to win the ball, which was being protected by the Al Ittihad defender and goalkeeper, but the Senegalese player didn’t paid much attencion and stepped on keeper’s stomach while trying to get to the ball. VAR ruled that the move merited a straight red card. With a man down, Jorge Jesus 's team held on, and the score remained level at halftime. Ronaldo had a couple of sniffs at goal six minutes before the break but was denied on both occasions, then he fizzed a free-kick narrowly over the bar. He set up the winner, pulling clear of the Al Ittihad defence and squaring it for fellow Portuguese Joao Felix, the new signing from Chelsea, to slot in for the win.