Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr delivered a resounding statement in the AFC Champions League Elite, defeating reigning Asian champions Al Ain with a crushing 5-1 victory at Al Awwal Park.
Ronaldo, ending his three-match scoring drought, was instrumental in the win that solidified Al Nassr’s position as a serious contender in this rebranded tournament.
This victory lifts Al Nassr to third place in the West Asia table, maintaining their unbeaten start in the group phase.
Currently, Al Hilal and Al Ahli sit above them, but Al Nassr’s commanding performance has set them firmly on the path to the knockout rounds.
Al Nassr’s Dominance from the Start
From the opening whistle, Al Nassr showcased their intent to dominate. They aimed to avenge last season’s quarterfinal exit at the hands of Al Ain, and their intensity was evident early on. Under the guidance of manager Stefano Pioli, Al Nassr took an immediate lead.
Only five minutes into the match, Brazilian forward Anderson Talisca received the ball at the edge of the box, finishing past Al Ain’s goalkeeper Khalid Essa with a low strike that sent the home fans into a frenzy.
Ronaldo soon joined the action with his clinical finishing, scoring Al Nassr’s second goal at the 30-minute mark. A powerful long-range shot from former Liverpool star Sadio Mane forced Essa into an error, as he spilled the ball into Ronaldo’s path.
The Portuguese legend capitalized on the rebound, tapping it home to double Al Nassr’s lead. The goal was a timely reminder of Ronaldo’s predatory instincts, which Al Nassr hope will drive their Champions League campaign forward.
An Own Goal Extends Al Nassr’s Lead
Just minutes after Ronaldo’s strike, Al Nassr continued their relentless push against a struggling Al Ain defense. Angelo Gabriel, a recent addition from Chelsea, played a clever one-two with Mane before unleashing a shot that deflected off Al Ain defender Fabio Cardoso.
The deflection caught Essa off guard, and the ball found its way into the net. Although initially credited to Gabriel, the goal was later ruled an own goal, extending Al Nassr’s lead to 3-0 and making Al Ain’s comeback prospects increasingly bleak.
Al Ain’s Response and Second-Half Struggles
Early in the second half, Al Ain finally found a glimmer of hope. South Korean midfielder Park Yong-woo fired a shot that ricocheted off the post and rebounded off Al Nassr’s goalkeeper, Bento, into the net.
The unfortunate own goal reduced Al Nassr’s lead to 3-1, briefly shifting the momentum toward the UAE side.
However, Al Ain’s efforts proved insufficient against Al Nassr’s well-organized defense, which consistently thwarted their forward attempts. Al Nassr regained control of the game and began pressing forward once more, determined to make their mark.
Late Goals Seal Al Nassr’s Victory
In the final minutes, Al Nassr’s attacking prowess shone again as they put the game firmly out of Al Ain’s reach. Brazilian teenager Wesley, a fresh addition to the field, curled a brilliant strike past Essa, restoring Al Nassr’s three-goal advantage.
The icing on the cake came in stoppage time when Talisca, who had opened the scoring, struck again to notch Al Nassr’s fifth goal of the night.
The comprehensive 5-1 victory sent a clear message to their group rivals that Al Nassr is a force to be reckoned with in this year’s AFC Champions League.
Ronaldo’s influence, combined with the standout performances of Talisca, Mane, and Gabriel, signals a team with both experience and energy that can compete at the highest level.
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Al Ain’s Struggles Deepen Under Hernan Crespo
For Al Ain, this defeat adds further pressure on manager Hernan Crespo. After guiding the team to their first Asian title in 21 years just last May, Crespo now finds himself in a challenging position.
Al Ain sits at the bottom of the West Asia standings, with only one point from their first four matches. This third consecutive loss highlights the team’s defensive vulnerabilities and lack of cohesion.
If Crespo cannot reverse Al Ain’s fortunes soon, their chances of advancing from the group stage will rapidly diminish.
Vissel Kobe and Kawasaki Frontale Triumph in East Asia
While Al Nassr celebrated in Riyadh, Japan’s Vissel Kobe and Kawasaki Frontale enjoyed their own Champions League success in the East Asia zone.
Vissel Kobe, the reigning J. League champions, secured a 2-0 victory over South Korea’s Gwangju FC. Kobe’s triumph came through a penalty by Taisei Miyashiro and a powerful header from Daiju Sasaki, leaving them comfortably at the top of their group at the halfway stage.
Meanwhile, Kawasaki Frontale defeated Shanghai Port 3-1 in another impressive Japanese performance. Goals from Akihiro Ienaga, Yusuke Segawa, and Sai van Wermeskerken propelled them to victory, further boosting Japanese teams’ status in the AFC Champions League.
Other Notable Results in the Group Stage
In Malaysia, Johor Darul Ta’zim clinched an emphatic 3-0 win against Ulsan, a result that pushed the South Korean team to the bottom of the standings with zero points.
Johor’s strong performance has earned them third place in the East Asia group, demonstrating their competitive edge in the Champions League this season.
Australia’s Central Coast Mariners also made headlines with a dramatic comeback against Shanghai Shenhua. Trailing 2-0, the Mariners scored deep in injury time to level the game at 2-2, with Bailey Brandtman’s 95th-minute equalizer securing a hard-fought point.
This result places Shanghai Shenhua fourth in their group, while the Mariners remain just one spot off the bottom.
