He lives, for those who doubted. Luís Castro’s Al-Nassr yesterday won the Arab Champions League – or King Salman Arab Clubs’ Cup, official title in 2023 – for the first time in its history after beating Jorge Jesus’ Al-Hilal in extra time, thanks to two goals from the inevitable Cristiano Ronaldo, who even saw another disallowed for offside and another off the line. The national team captain was the league’s top scorer, with six accurate shots, and lifted the trophy, despite being injured towards the end.

In a competition involving clubs from the 22 countries that make up the UAFA (Union of Arab Football Associations), this year’s final was, without much surprise – given the huge investment made by the country hosting this 30th edition (has not been played since 19/20) -, between two Saudi clubs, who disputed the $8.5 million at stake in the match (six for the winner, the rest for the losing finalist). But since it is not a regional competition (there are formations of the African and Asian Confederation), the triumph guarantees no more than local glory, a trophy and monetary value. That is, the winner does not get the right to participate, for example, in the World Cup for clubs.

At the King Fahd Stadium, in Na’if, with two Portuguese in charge and many others on the field (alongside several names who have already played in Portuguese football, such as Alex Telles and Anderson Talisca, both on the CR7 team, and Carrillo at the start Bench of Jesus), Al-Hilal started much better and created two good chances to reach the goal: first in a shot by Rúben Neves from the edge of the penalty area (3″), then in an individual shot from Captain Salem Al-Dawsari who managed to isolate himself and eventually fired too early and too skewed (6″).

After 11 minutes, Al-Nassr finally managed to close in on the opposing goal, in a superb individual detail from Alex Telles near the last line, but the Brazilian defender would eventually slip and the move was lost. In the next minute, a free-kick from the side created another moment of danger from a poor run from the goalkeeper, but everything would only result in a corner kick.

The truth is that Al-Nassr really got into the game from here and eventually got the first clear chance for a goal: CR7 and Sadio Mane built up the move and the cross went to Brozovic who, with a header, sent Al – Owais (usual substitute, replacing the suspended Al-Mayouf) a spectacular save (18″). A free kick from the Portuguese captain against the wall (20″), a strong shot but the goalkeeper’s goal (26″) and another try to Brozovic, this time with his right foot (27″) confirmed the change in direction of play. In the 32nd minute, Talisca finally got into the game, with a left-footed shot in the direction of the goalkeeper, following a pass from the captain. When the break came with a zero score (and the quality of the game…), Luís Castro’s team could only complain about themselves, having dominated possession and number of shots (5-0 in ).

Goal, send-off and comeback

In the second half, Luís Castro quickly confirmed the maxim of an old footballer: “if you don’t score, you suffer”. After a first threat, the Brazilian Michael even made it 1-0 in the 51st minute with a header (a goal he celebrated against… CR7), after a cross from Malcolm (in a move by Rúben Neves), which Alex Telles failed to arrive.

Al-Nassr felt the touch and returned to the attack. Alex Telles (from a free kick), Cristiano (from outside the box and then with a header that wasn’t a shot or a pass) and Talisca (for a great save) were almost level, but things could have gotten complicated in the 71st minute, with the dispelling of alarm. What is certain is that the equalizer still managed to lead a perfect cross from Sultan (74″) to the mouth of the goal via the inevitable CR7. The Portuguese would score again, but this time from offside, and the final moments would be from Being Al-Hilal, who, taking advantage of the numerical advantage and the attrition, could have scored already at the break With 1-1 at the end, the decision went to extra time without Talisca, who put in a discreet performance, but with an inspired Cristiano: first saw Al-Boleahi score an incredible goal with an incredible swipe, then he didn’t forgive with a header after Fofana hit the crossbar (98″). Luís Castro was eventually suspended due to protests (102″) and the captain would eventually leave at 114″, injured a knee. Al-Hilal’s final pressure ultimately did not work, bringing into view the need for the team to buy a renowned striker.