Cristiano Ronaldo received a red card as Al-Nassr lost 2-1 to city rivals Al-Hilal in their Saudi Super Cup semi-final after a fierce encounter in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Ronaldo was sent off four minutes from time for elbowing an opponent when his side were trailing 2-0 before they notched up a late consolation.
Salem Al-Dawsari gave Al-Hilal the lead in the 62nd minute when he netted the ball into the bottom right corner from a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic flick.
Brazilian forward Malcolm doubled his side’s advantage in the 72nd with a fine header after Michael's long cross from the right.
Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane got Al-Nassr reduced the deficit in injury time off Abdulrahman Ghareeb's pass.
Al-Hilal are on path for a record-extending fourth title in Thursday's final when they lock horns with Karim Benzema's Al-Ittihad, who defeated Al-Wehda 2-1 in the earlier semi-final on Monday.
Benzema scored the fastest goal in Saudi Super Cup history after he took full advantage of a poor clearance to net from close range after 55 seconds and break Al Fateh striker Doris Salomo Fuakuputu's record set in the first final in 2013. It was the French striker's first goal of 2024.
Abderrazzak Hamedallah doubled the lead with a tap-in following a cross from Romarinho after 42 minutes.
Hussain Ahmed Al Issa got a consolation goal for Al-Wehda in the dying seconds after Morocco midfielder Faycal Fajr's penalty miss in the 91st.