In a dramatic twist in the AFC Champions League, Al-Nassr faced their first loss of the tournament as Qatar’s Al Sadd claimed a 2-1 victory in Riyadh. Without their talismanic captain Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi side struggled to maintain their unbeaten run, despite having already secured a place in the knockout stages.
Ronaldo’s Absence Felt by Al-Nassr FC
The Portuguese superstar, 39, who has been in blistering form with 15 goals in 18 appearances this season, was rested for the clash after a packed schedule that saw him score twice in the Saudi Pro League on Friday. Ronaldo was seen in the stands at Al Awwal Park, accompanied by his mother, Dolores Aveiro, and partner, Georgina Rodriguez. His absence in the Al-Nassr vs Al Sadd showdown seemed to leave a void in Stefano Pioli’s squad.
A Tale of Two Halves: Al-Nassr vs Al Sadd
The match came alive in the second half when Akram Afif, the reigning AFC Player of the Year, showcased his brilliance. Breaking away from the halfway line, Afif outpaced Al-Nassr defender Mohammed Al Fatil and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Bento to give Al Sadd the lead in the 53rd minute.
Al-Nassr managed to equalize in the 80th minute through an own goal by Al Sadd defender Romain Saiss, who deflected Brazilian youngster Wesley’s low cross into his net. However, the joy was short-lived as Al Sadd secured victory deep into stoppage time. Afif earned a penalty after being tripped in the box, and substitute Adam Ounas coolly converted the spot-kick in the 99th minute to seal the win.
Al-Nassr’s Position in the Group Stage
Despite the defeat, Al-Nassr FC remains in third place in their Western Region group, while Al Sadd climbed to fourth, clinching a spot in the last 16. The top eight teams from the group stage will qualify for the knockout rounds, and Al-Nassr’s early qualification offers some consolation amid their first loss in this year’s campaign.
Other AFC Champions League Highlights
Elsewhere, fellow Saudi side Al Ahli maintained their top spot in the standings despite a 2-2 draw against Iran’s Esteghlal. England striker Ivan Toney scored twice from the penalty spot to keep Al Ahli unbeaten in the competition. Esteghlal, however, ended the match with 10 men after Mohammed Hossein Eslami’s red card.
Looking Ahead
As Al-Nassr FC prepares for the next round of fixtures, the team will need to regroup and refocus to carry forward their campaign in the AFC Champions League. With Cristiano Ronaldo likely to return, fans will hope to see the Saudi side bounce back stronger and continue their quest for Asian glory.
The Al-Nassr vs Al Sadd clash underscored the unpredictability of the tournament, leaving fans eager for the next chapter in the thrilling journey of this year’s AFC Champions League.
