Al Nassr secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League with a dominant 3-0 victory over Iran’s Esteghlal, thanks to a brace from Jhon Duran and a composed penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo. The Saudi Pro League giants advanced after a goalless first-leg draw in Tehran, setting up an exciting last-eight showdown in Jeddah.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s Al-Sadd also booked their spot in the next round after a thrilling 3-1 win over UAE’s Al Wasl, completing a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Al Nassr’s Dominant Performance Against Esteghlal
Stefano Pioli’s Al Nassr entered the second leg with the advantage of playing at home in Riyadh. They wasted no time asserting control, with Colombian striker Jhon Duran breaking the deadlock in just the ninth minute. Esteghlal goalkeeper Seyed Hossein Hosseini made a costly error, gifting the ball to Duran 25 meters from goal. The 20-year-old took full advantage, lifting the ball over the stranded keeper to give Al Nassr an early lead.
The home side continued to press high, forcing mistakes from Esteghlal. Their pressure paid off in the 27th minute when former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané was fouled inside the penalty area by Mohammad Niknafs. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up with confidence and sent Hosseini the wrong way, doubling Al Nassr’s lead with his trademark penalty technique.
Esteghlal’s hopes of mounting a comeback took a further hit just before halftime when Mehran Ahmadi was sent off for a second bookable offense. The Iranian defender caught Mohammed Al Fatil in the face with a flailing arm, leaving his team with 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Duran Completes the Job
Al Nassr remained in control throughout the second half, dictating the pace and creating numerous chances. Duran nearly added a second goal in the 70th minute when his shot struck the post, but the young Colombian made amends in the 84th minute.
Latching onto a through ball, Duran drove into the box and whipped a powerful low strike into the bottom corner, sealing Al Nassr’s victory. The 3-0 scoreline reflected the Saudi side’s superiority as they booked their place in the quarter-finals, which will be played in a centralized tournament in Jeddah from April 25 to May 3.
After the match, Sadio Mané praised the team’s performance.
“I think we played well,” Mané said. “We created many chances and scored three goals. We pressed well together, pushed them, and they made mistakes. We kept a clean sheet, and we cannot ask for more than this.”
Al-Sadd Overcome Al Wasl in Doha
Over in Qatar, Al-Sadd produced a stunning comeback to defeat Al Wasl 3-1 and progress with a 4-2 aggregate win. The match saw a dazzling display from Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif, who scored one goal and assisted another to inspire his side.
Al Wasl got off to the perfect start in the 10th minute when Brazilian-born forward Fabio Lima met an Alexis Perez cross with a superb first-time strike, giving the UAE side an early advantage.
However, Al-Sadd responded in style. In the 26th minute, Afif showcased his dribbling ability, charging down the left flank before cutting the ball back for Mostafa Meshaal, who slotted a calm finish into the bottom corner to level the score.
Just four minutes later, Al-Sadd took the lead through Youcef Atal. The Algerian right-back made a driving run towards the goal and unleashed a shot from a tight angle. The ball took a deflection off Al Wasl defender Jung Seung-hyun and found the back of the net, making it 2-1.
Afif then capped off a brilliant first-half performance with a stunning free kick routine. The Qatari star played a short pass to Claudinho before curling the ball into the top corner from 20 meters, putting Al-Sadd 3-1 ahead before halftime.
Despite Al Wasl’s attempts to find a way back into the game in the second half, Al-Sadd’s defense remained solid, ensuring they advanced comfortably to the quarter-finals.
Looking Ahead to the Quarter-Finals
Both Al Nassr and Al-Sadd will now turn their attention to the upcoming quarter-final stage, where they will face even tougher competition in Jeddah. With the likes of Ronaldo, Mané, and Afif in top form, both teams will be aiming to push for the Asian Champions League title.
For Al Nassr, Ronaldo continues to be a key figure, providing leadership and experience on the big stage. Meanwhile, young talents like Jhon Duran are proving their worth, giving the Saudi side additional firepower in attack.
Al-Sadd will rely on Afif’s creativity and finishing ability, hoping to continue their momentum in the tournament. Their attacking depth, combined with a solid defense, makes them a dangerous opponent in the next round.
As the competition reaches its latter stages, the battle for continental supremacy is heating up. With Al Nassr and Al-Sadd making strong statements in the round of 16, their quarter-final clashes promise to deliver more thrilling action.
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