Al-Nassr vs Al-Ahli: Saudi Super Cup Final Drama and Ronaldo’s Missed Trophy
Al-Nassr vs Al-Ahli: Saudi Super Cup 2025 Final Showdown
The 2025 Saudi Super Cup final, which kicked off Saudi football’s new season, took place at the Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday, August 23, 2025. The match featured Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr against newly crowned Asian champions Al-Ahli. After a thrilling game that ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, Al-Ahli won 5-3 on penalties to claim the trophy.
This blog covers everything you need to know about the match: the competition’s history, team backgrounds, the road to the final, confirmed lineups, a detailed timeline of key events, stats, player ratings, fan reactions, and where to watch replays.
Saudi Super Cup: History and Format
Origins (2013–2021): It started as a single match between league champions and King Cup winners.
Expansion (from 2022): It became a four-team knockout tournament with semifinals and a final.
Notable Winners: Al-Ittihad (2022), Al-Hilal (2023, 2024).
Previous Success: Al-Nassr (2019, 2020), Al-Ahli (2016).
2025 Edition: Hosted in Hong Kong, furthering Saudi football’s global reach.
Rivalry and Background
Al-Nassr (Riyadh): Founded in 1955, they have won the Super Cup twice and are home to Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozović, João Félix, and Kingsley Coman. Their last major trophy was in 2020.
Al-Ahli (Jeddah): Founded in 1937, they are a historic powerhouse and recently won the 2025 AFC Champions League. Their stars include Franck Kessié, Riyad Mahrez, Ivan Toney, and Édouard Mendy.
Head-to-Head Record: Before this final, the clubs had met 62 times across competitions: Al-Nassr 21 wins, Al-Ahli 26 wins, and 15 draws. This was their first Super Cup meeting.
Road to the Final
Al-Nassr (Semi-final vs Al-Ittihad, Aug 19, 2025)
Al-Nassr won 2-1 in a tense match. João Félix scored the winner. However, Sadio Mané was absent due to suspension.
Al-Ahli (Semi-final vs Al-Qadisiyah, Aug 20, 2025)
Al-Ahli won handily, 5-1. Ivan Toney started with a penalty, and Franck Kessié scored twice. New signings, Toney and Millot, shone in this match.
Confirmed Lineups
Al-Nassr (4-3-3)
Bento (GK); Boushal, Simakan, Martínez, Yahya; Al-Khaibari, Brozović, Coman; Félix, Wesley, Ronaldo.
Al-Ahli (4-2-3-1)
Mendy (GK); Majrashi, Demiral, Ibañez, Balobaid; Kessié, Millot; Mahrez, Galeno, Al-Buraikan; Toney.
Key Notes:
Ronaldo was the captain for Al-Nassr and scored his 100th goal for the club.
Franck Kessié captained Al-Ahli and played a crucial role in their performance.
Timeline of Key Moments
41′ – Ronaldo (Al-Nassr): A penalty was awarded after a handball. Ronaldo converted it for 1-0.
45+6′ – Kessié (Al-Ahli): He equalized with a header from a Mahrez corner to make it 1-1.
82′ – Brozović (Al-Nassr): He scored a brilliant curling strike to put Al-Nassr ahead, 2-1.
89′ – Ibañez (Al-Ahli): He headed in the equalizer after Bento’s fumble, making it 2-2.
FT – 2-2: The match went straight to penalties.
Penalty Shootout
Al-Ahli scorers: Toney, Kessié, Mahrez, Galeno.
Al-Nassr scorers: Ronaldo, Brozović.
Turning point: Al-Khaibari’s penalty was saved by Mendy.
Result: Al-Ahli won 5-3 on penalties.
Match Stats (Highlights)
Possession: Al-Nassr 52% – Al-Ahli 48%
Shots: Al-Nassr 14 (6 on target), Al-Ahli 11 (5 on target)
xG: Al-Nassr 1.72 – Al-Ahli 1.15
Corners: Al-Nassr 6 – Al-Ahli 5
Fouls: Al-Nassr 13 – Al-Ahli 12
Player Ratings
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr): 7.5 – Scored his 100th goal but was less influential later.
Marcelo Brozović (Al-Nassr): 8 – Scored a fantastic goal and worked hard in midfield.
Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli): 8.5 – Equalized and led his team well.
Édouard Mendy (Al-Ahli): 8 – Saved a crucial penalty.
Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli): 7.5 – Was precise in the shootout and connected play effectively.
Social Media & Fan Reactions
Nassr fans expressed disappointment over another missed trophy.
Ahli fans celebrated their recent dominance in both continental and domestic competitions.
Global reaction included praise for Ronaldo’s achievement, Kessié’s leadership, and Al-Ahli’s progress.
Where to Watch (Replays and Highlights)
Saudi Arabia: Available on SPL channels and on YouTube highlights.
International: Broadcasters included DAZN (UK), fuboTV/Fox Sports (US), ESPN Africa, Sporty TV (Nigeria).
Online: Official match highlights are available on SPL platforms.
Final Summary
Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli put on a thrilling Saudi Super Cup final. Ronaldo scored his 100th goal for Al-Nassr, but Franck Kessié and Roger Ibañez were key to Al-Ahli’s comeback. A tense penalty shootout featured a crucial save from Édouard Mendy, allowing Al-Ahli to claim their second Saudi Super Cup, their first since 2016.
With this victory, Al-Ahli solidified their status as Saudi Arabia’s top team, while Al-Nassr continues to wait for their next trophy.
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