Ronaldo Shines as Al Nassr Nears Last 16

AFP/APP

Doha: Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Al Nassr secured a 3-1 win over Al Gharafa in Qatar, moving them closer to the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League Elite. The Saudi Arabian champions now need just two points from their remaining three group games to confirm their place in the last 16.

Despite a frustrating first half in which Ronaldo missed several chances, the 39-year-old captain broke the deadlock just 50 seconds into the second half, heading home a cross from Sultan Al Ghannam.

Al Nassr doubled their advantage through Brazilian winger Angelo Gabriel in the 58th minute, before Gabriel returned the favor, setting up Ronaldo for his second goal six minutes later.

The brace took Ronaldo’s tally to four goals in this season’s rebranded competition. Al Gharafa pulled one back through Joselu, a former teammate of Ronaldo at Real Madrid, but any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Seydou Sano was sent off for a second yellow card in the 84th minute.

With the win, Al Nassr remain unbeaten in five matches, sitting second in the 12-team Western Zone table. The top eight teams from both the Western and Eastern Zones will progress to the last 16 knockout stages.

Al Ahli Extend Perfect Run with Toney Double

In a thrilling encounter, Al Ahli maintained their 100% record in the AFC Champions League Elite with a 2-1 victory over Asian champions Al Ain. England international Ivan Toney, introduced as a substitute in the 65th minute, made an immediate impact, scoring two goals in quick succession to seal the win for the Saudi side.

Toney first headed in a Riyad Mahrez free-kick five minutes after coming on, before meeting a brilliant long pass from Mahrez to score the winner four minutes later. Despite a stunning volley from Al Ain’s Kaka in the dying moments, it was too little, too late for the UAE team.

Al Ahli’s win keeps them at the top of the Western Zone standings with a perfect 15 points from five matches, securing their spot in the knockout rounds for the first time in the rebranded competition.

Esteghlal Held to Draw by Pakhtakor

Elsewhere in the Western Zone, Iran’s Esteghlal were held to a goalless draw by Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor Tashkent in Dubai. Despite dominating possession, Esteghlal were unable to break down their opponents, leaving both teams with just one point from the match.