Cristiano Ronaldo frustrated as Al-Nassr crash out of King's Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut season at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr is heading for a disastrous end after a shock 1-0 loss to Al-Wehda in the semi-final of the King's Cup.

The loss puts a serious question mark over the transfer of the Portuguese striker considering the domestic cup was the Riyadh side’s best chance of silverware as they sit in second place in the league, 3 points behind, having played a game extra. Al-Nassr have only managed two wins in their last five games in the league. 

Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure, lashing out at the bench at one time, as the Portuguese star missed his team's best chances and grew frustrated after Al-Wehda took the lead midway through the first half, thanks to Jean-David Beauguel's well-placed bicycle-kick volley. Despite several attempts to level the score, Al-Nassr could not find the back of the net.

Al-Wehda was reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Abdullah Al-Hafith received his second yellow card for bringing down Ronaldo just outside the box. Ronaldo stepped up to take the free kick, but his effort flew over the bar.

With Al-Wehda sitting deep, Al-Nassr was piling on the pressure and had several close calls. Ronaldo's shot from just outside the six-yard box hit the crossbar, and four penalty claims were denied by the video assistant referee.

The game seemed destined for a draw, but in the 97th minute, Ronaldo headed a floated free-kick into the path of Luiz Gustavo, whose header was cleared off the line by Oscar Duarte. The game ended 1-0 in favour of Al-Wehda, who will now face Al-Ittihad in the final.

This defeat is Al-Nassr's second in their last three games, and the team will need to return to winning ways quickly if they hope to secure a 10th league title. Meanwhile, Al-Wehda will celebrate the chance to win the King's Cup for the first time since 1966.