Cristiano Ronaldo will wear the Al-Nassr shirt for the second time as the Saudi Pro League leaders face a tricky test against high-flying Al-Ittihad on Thursday (6pm kick-off).
The 37-year-old failed to score in his first game for the Riyadh-based club, although he did help them to a much-needed win as they secured a 1-0 success over Ettifaq on Sunday.
Four days on from his debut, Ronaldo will be keen to produce a better performance for Al-Nassr in the semi-finals of the Saudi Super Cup. Just two places and two points separate Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad in the top flight, meaning Ronaldo and his teammates will need to be on their game to reach the final later this month.
The competition presents the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend with his first opportunity to lift silverware in Saudi Arabia following his lucrative move to the Middle East at the end of December.
Follow the action below with LIVE updates from Mirror Football:
18:54KEY EVENT
Ronaldo's side are heading out barring a special second-half comeback thanks to goals from Romarinho and Hamdallah.
It has been a superb performance from Al-Ittihad, but Al-Nassr have got a lot of work to do.
Image:
Getty Images)43'KEY EVENT
Wow!
Al-Ittihad have done it again on the counter-attack and it's Hamdallah who has scored this time with a super header.
It came a matter of seconds after Ronaldo's missed chance as he was denied his first goal in Saudi league football.
42'Kieran King
Ronaldo should score.
What a chance that is for the forward, who connects onto a cross, but his close-range header is somehow kept out.
39'Kieran King
Al-Nassr have a rare chance to get the ball into the box towards Ronaldo as Martinez shapes himself to cross.
However, his delivery is poor and doesn't even reach Ronaldo before landing on the top of the net.
34'Kieran King
Ronaldo has cut a frustrated figure on his own up front so far, with Al-Nassr failing to have a shot on target.
Talisca has tried to create something for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, but it just isn't happening for them at the minute.
31'Kieran King
Al-Ittihad have taken control of this game and should be at least two in front.
A free-kick was curled to the back post into Romarinho's path and the forward was free to hit it first time.
However, he was unable to get a good connection and completely fluffed his kick.
27'Kieran King
In the next phase following Romarinho's chance, Henrique went down inside the box amid calls for a penalty.
However, the referee wanted nothing to do with it and waved away appeals.
25'Kieran King
Massive opportunity for Al-Ittihad to double their advantage as they break well on the left-hand side.
The ball is ferociously whipped to the back post towards Romarinho, but the Brazilian is intercepted just before he can get a shot away.
23'Kieran King
Al-Ittihad are providing a massive threat on the counter-attack and Romarinho is at the heart of everything they do.
The 32-year-old has pace and is leading the line superbly for Al-Ittihad, with the striker coming close midway through the first-half but his effort flashed wide of target.
21'Kieran King
Despite being named as a lone striker, Ronaldo has been moving out wide to get involved in the Al-Nassr attacks.
In this latest instance, the 37-year-old burst down the left-wing but his cross was blocked.
A frustrating start for the attacker.
18'Kieran King
Apart from a brilliant well-worked goal from Al-Ittihad, it has been a slow and scrappy affair from both teams.
Neither team have been able to dominate large spells, although Al-Nassr are having more possession, giving Al-Ittihad the opportunity to counter-attack.
14'KEY EVENT
Al-Ittihad have taken the lead through Romarinho's strike.
The Brazilian tapped home to cap off an impressive move, to the distress and disappointment of Ronaldo and Al-Nassr.
9'Kieran King
The atmosphere is eletric at the King Fahd Stadium.
The crowd have just gone wild after Ronaldo did a stepoever and then furious as the ex-Real Madrid man is challenged.
6'Kieran King
Ronaldo with a delightful first-time flick to Al-Najei and the winger is hacked down just outside the box.
They take the free-kick quickly and the former Manchester United man receives the ball, spins but is quickly intercepted.
3'Kieran King
It has been a fast start in Riyadh as both teams try and get a foothold on the game.
Al-Nassr have dominated possession but Al-Ittihad look dangerous on the counter-attack.
1'KEY EVENT
Al-Nassr get the game underway at the King Fahd Stadium...
18:01Kieran King
Here is how Al-Ittihad line-up to face Al-Nassr...
Grohe, Hegazy, Sharahili, Shanqeeti, Hawsawi, Hamed, Coronado, Henrique, Romarinho, Al-Aboud, Hamdallah
17:50Kieran King
Cristiano Ronaldo is out for his warm-up at Al-Nassr ahead of the Saudi Super Cup semi-final.
There's just under 10 minutes 'til kick-off.
Image:
Getty Images)17:30KEY EVENT
Here is how Al-Nassr line-up to take on Al-Ittihad tonight.
Agustin, Sultan, Mado, Alamri, Lajami, Alkhaibari, Gustavo, Martinez, Sami, Talisca, Ronaldo
17:17Kieran King
Cristiano Ronaldo has arrived at the King Fahd Stadium ahead of tonight's clash against Al-Ittihad.
17:07Kieran King
Al-Nassr boss Rudi Garcia claimed that his team tried too hard to involve Cristiano Ronaldo on his debut after he blanked in their 1-0 win over Ettifaq.
He said: "It’s very important for the players to play normally and not always try to give the ball to Cristiano," the boss told reporters.
"I told them they need to make the right choices on the pitch. Obviously when Cristiano or Talisca are alone and asking for the ball we need to give them the ball. These two players are able to make the difference.
"Tonight, I think that sometimes we had good positions to cross but not enough people in the box – and sometimes no Ronaldo and no Talisca. We need to work on that, to have one of them in the box and maybe the other playing outside the box."
16:55Kieran King
Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to start against Al-Ittihad after making his competitive Al-Nassr debut in last Sunday's 1-0 victory over Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League.
The legendary No.7 started up front, wore the captain's armband and played all 90 minutes, although he was not involved in his side's winning goal.
Ronaldo's first appearance in Saudi Arabia was an exhibition one as he lined up alongside Al-Nassr teammates and Al-Hilal stars as part of an All-Star XI which took on Paris Saint-Germain.
The Portuguese superstar netted twice in the 5-4 loss, with great rival Lionel Messi on the scoresheet for PSG, alongside Kylian Mbappe.
16:41Kieran King
Al-Ittihad versus Al-Nassr will kick-off at 6pm GMT on Thursday 26 January, which is 9pm local time.
The palatial King Fahd International Stadium, in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, will host the fixture, as well as the final of the Super Cup on Sunday. The other semi-final, between Al Feiha and Al-Hilal, will also take place in Riyadh, at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
King Fahd International Stadium can seat over 68,000 spectators, so Ronaldo is sure to receive a loud reception.
