Ronaldo Shines in AFC Champions League Victory
On Monday evening, Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia crushed Iran’s Esteghlal Tehran 3-0 at Al-Awal Park Stadium in the AFC Champions League round of 16 second leg. Led by Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored from a penalty, and bolstered by John Duran’s brace, Al-Nassr became the first Saudi team to reach the quarter-finals of the 2024-2025 tournament. After a goalless first leg in Iran, this victory sets the stage for an exciting run in Jeddah’s upcoming final rounds.
Quick Start and Ronaldo’s Penalty Power
The match kicked off with both sides showing intent. Esteghlal’s Mehran Ahmadi fired a shot in the second minute, but Al-Nassr’s goalkeeper Pinto denied him. The response was swift: in the ninth minute, John Duran pounced on a goalkeeper blunder to open the scoring. Ronaldo doubled the lead in the 27th minute, calmly slotting home a penalty after Sadio Mane was fouled in the box, showcasing his clutch performance.
Near Misses and a Game-Changing Red Card
Al-Nassr pressed their advantage, with Ronaldo nearly scoring via a header in the 16th minute and a free kick in the 18th. Duran and Mohammed Al-Fateel also came close, but Esteghlal’s goalkeeper stood tall. The tide turned in stoppage time when Ahmadi was sent off with a red card after a VAR-checked elbow on Al-Fateel, leaving Esteghlal shorthanded.
Duran’s Late Strike Seals the Triumph
The second half saw Al-Nassr relentless. Duran hit the post in the 48th and the crossbar in the 51st, while Ronaldo tested the keeper in the 60th. The Colombian striker finally struck again in the 84th minute, blasting a shot assisted by Al-Sulayhem to make it 3-0. Late efforts, like Angelo Gabriel’s shot in the 89th, highlighted Al-Nassr’s dominance.
Next Stop: Jeddah’s Quarter-Finals
With Ronaldo leading the charge, Al-Nassr now heads to the quarter-finals, scheduled for April 25 to May 3 in Jeddah. The semi-finals and final will also unfold in Saudi Arabia, promising more heroics from this powerhouse team.
