https://arab.news/2wpm9
- Win puts Riyadh giants on brink of the knockout stages of AFC Champions League Elite
RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al-Nassr won 3-1 at Al-Gharafa of Qatar on Monday to move to the brink of the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League Elite with three group games still to play.
All the goals came in the second half as the Saudi Arabians moved onto 13 points and second place in the group, just two points behind leaders Al-Ahli who earlier won 2-1 at Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates.
Al-Nassr made most of the running in the first half, but just could not find a way through. Ronaldo had an early shot saved by Sergio Rico and the Spanish goalkeeper made a diving save to push away a shot from the Portuguese star once more after 19 minutes.
Soon after it was the turn of Al-Gharafa to go close. Bento had to get down well to save from Wajdi Kechrida at his near post
Al-Nassr thought they had been given a penalty just before the half-hour as Matias Nani chopped Sadio Mane on the left side of the area and the referee gave a penalty. It looked clear and Ronaldo put the ball down on the spot ready to shoot his team into the lead but then VAR intervened to keep the game goalless.
Ronaldo had the best chance of all in the 34th minute but somehow headed Marcelo Brozovic’s left-sided free-kick wide from close range. It was a frustrating period for the star and it got worse just before the break as the five-time Ballon D’Or winner had a goalbound shot blocked.
He was determined to put it right and did so within the first minute of the second half. Angelo got to the byline on the right and just as his cross was perfect, so was Ronaldo’s thundering header that flew into the bottom corner to give Rico no chance.
Two minutes before the hour, Angelo swapped passes with Otavio then skipped past the goalkeeper to extend Al-Nassr’s lead and then, four minutes after, Ronaldo got his second. He was found inside the box by Angelo, turned his defender and then fired home high into the net.
That was that, or so everyone thought as Spanish striker Joselu pulled one back with 17 minutes remaining but Al-Nassr saw out the win to complete another perfect day for Saudi Arabian clubs in Asia.