Doha: Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice for Al Nasr as they continued to progress in the AFC Champions League Elite, with the Saudi champions beating Al Ghrafa 3-1 in Qatar on Monday.
The 39-year-old helped Al-Nasr to the brink of the last 16 in Asia’s premier continental club competition, needing just two points from their last three group games. Only Al Shorta, who have two points from four games to play, could deny Ronaldo’s side a place in the next round, after Persepolis drew 1-1 at Al Rayyan.
Al-Nasr captain Ronaldo looked destined to endure a very disappointing game at the Al-Bait Stadium after a series of missed chances in the first half. However, the Portugal star finally opened the scoring just over 50 seconds into the second half, when he headed home Sultan Al Ghanim’s cross from close range.
Al-Nasser then doubled their advantage on 58 minutes through summer signing Angelo Gabriel from Chelsea, before the Brazilian turned provider for Ronaldo to tie for his second six minutes later.
The goal took the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus side four goals ahead in this season’s rebranded competition before he was substituted on 74 minutes. Al-Graffa pulled one back through Ronaldo’s former team-mate Joselo in Madrid. Yet their hopes of an expected late rally were dashed when Seidou Sanu was sent off six minutes from the end of normal time for a second bookable offence.
The win ensures Al Nasser remain unbeaten in five matches in the western side of the draw, and are second in the 12-team table. The top eight in the standings go into the last 16 knockout stages along with the top eight from the East Zone table of 12 teams.
The Riyadh club now sit behind only Saudi Arabian counterparts Al Ahly, who maintained their 100 per cent record thanks to a brace from substitute Ivan Toney to beat Asian champions Al Ain 2-1 in the United Arab Emirates and seal their first ever Champions League spot. Accessed out.
The England international was left on the bench for the match at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, but was introduced on 65 minutes, scoring within five minutes. First, he headed home Riyad Mahrez’s deep free-kick.
A late-window signing from English Premier League club Brentford in August, Toni scored the winner four minutes later. This time, he finished off Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Issa with a superb long pass from former Manchester City winger Mahrez. Al Ain, who beat Japan’s Arova Red Diamonds to win the title in April, pulled one back late on through Kaka’s superb volley.
Al-Ahly have won all five matches in the rebranded competition and lead the Western standings with 15 points. In the same section, Iran’s Istiglul was held to a goalless draw by Uzbekistan’s Pushtakor Tashkent in Dubai.