Al Nassr's new forward Sadio Mane won a penalty that was converted by Cristiano Ronaldo as the Saudi Pro League side beat Al Shorta to reach the final of the King Salman Cup on Wednesday.
Newly signed Senegalese forward Mane burst through the defence of the Iraqi champions before being brought down in the box after 75 minutes.
The referee initially waved away Al Nassr's appeals before VAR intervened to award the penalty, which Ronaldo duly stepped up to convert to give his side victory.
Former Liverpool star Mane, 31, joined Al Nassr this month from Bayern Munich on a four-year contract.
Al Nassr's other big summer recruits Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles and Seko Fofana also started the game at Prince Sultan Abdul Aziz Stadium in Abha, Saudi Arabia.
The nine-times Saudi champions, who finished runners up in the Pro League to Al Ittihad last season, dominated the game against Al Shorta, and Ronaldo thought he had scored early in the first half.
The Portuguese forward latched on to a through ball before firing past the goalkeeper only for his effort to be ruled offside.
Mane had spoken of his excitement over linking up with Ronaldo at an official launch event in Jeddah for the Saudi Pro League's new season.
Mane said: “I think you can see how quick everything goes for me, because he is one of the best players in history if not the best of course, and that was easy for me, he makes it easier for me.
"And (Brazil midfielder) Talisca and the other boys, they are all really great players and I am really excited to start the league with all these boys to make the club a real success.”
Mane spent six years at Liverpool before moving to Bayern in 2022. He played a key role in the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League win by Jurgen Klopp's side and then in capturing the Premier League title the following season. It marked the Anfield club’s first top-flight title in 30 years.
With 120 goals in 269 appearances following his 2016 transfer from Southampton, Mane also lifted the FA Cup, League Cup and Fifa Club World Cup with Liverpool.
He has tasted glory at international level, too, helping Senegal to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations trophy. Mane has twice been named the continent’s player of the year, in 2019 and 2022.
Al Nassr 1 Al Shorta 0 - in pictures
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
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The studios taking part (so far)
- Punch
- Vogue Fitness
- Sweat
- Bodytree Studio
- The Hot House
- The Room
- Inspire Sports (Ladies Only)
- Cryo
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The biog
Name: Capt Shadia Khasif
Position: Head of the Criminal Registration Department at Hatta police
Family: Five sons and three daughters
The first female investigator in Hatta.
Role Model: Father
She believes that there is a solution to every problem
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Switzerland, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner Lord Giltters, Adrie de Vries, David O’Meara
8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Land Of Legends, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
10pm Dubai Dash Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner Equilateral, Frankie Dettori, Charles Hills.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
