Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice for Al Nassr as they continued to thrive within the AFC Champions League Elite, with the Saudi champions defeating Al Gharafa 3-1 in Qatar on Monday. The 39-year-old’s contributions moved Al Nassr nearer to the final eight, needing simply two factors from their ultimate three group video games. Only Al Shorta on two factors, with 4 video games to play, can deny Ronaldo’s aspect a spot within the subsequent spherical, after Persepolis drew 1-1 at Al Rayyan.
Al Nassr captain Ronaldo had regarded destined to endure a vastly irritating recreation following a sequence of missed alternatives within the first half at Al Bayt Stadium.
However, the Portugal star lastly opened the scoring little greater than 50 seconds into the second half, when he headed house Sultan Al Ghannam’s cross from shut vary.
Al Nassr then doubled their benefit by Angelo Gabriel, a summer time signing from Chelsea, on 58 minutes, earlier than the Brazilian turned supplier six minutes later to tee up Ronaldo for his second.
The purpose took the previous Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus ahead to 4 objectives on this season’s rebranded competitors earlier than he was changed on 74 minutes.
Al Gharafa did pull one again by Joselu, a former team-mate of Ronaldo at Madrid.
Yet their hopes of an unlikely late rally disappeared when Seydou Sano was despatched off six minutes from the top of regular time for a second bookable offence.
The win ensures Al Nassr stay unbeaten by 5 matches within the Western aspect of the draw, and transfer second within the 12-team desk.
Super-sub Toney
The Riyadh membership now sit behind solely Saudi Arabian counterparts Al Ahli, who maintained their 100% document because of a double from substitute Ivan Toney to see off Asian champions Al Ain 2-1 within the UAE and attain the knockouts for the primary time.
The England worldwide was left on the bench for the match at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, nonetheless having been launched on 65 minutes, he scored inside 5 minutes. First, he headed house Riyad Mahrez’s deep free-kick.
A late window signing from English Premier League membership Brentford in August, Toney struck what proved to be the winner 4 minutes later.
This time, he met an outstanding lengthy move from former Manchester City winger Mahrez to complete previous Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Essa.
Al Ain, who in April defeated Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds to win the title, pulled one again late on by Kaka’s chic volley.
The victory means Al Ahli have now gained all 5 matches within the rebranded competitors, and thus led the Western standings on 15 factors.
Also in that part, Iran’s Esteghlal have been held to a goal-less draw by Uzbekistan aspect Pakhtakor Tashkent in Dubai.
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