Cristiano Ronaldo was left watching from the stands as Al Nassr, already qualified for the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League, suffered their first loss of this year’s tournament. In a thrilling encounter at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh, the Saudi club was beaten 2-1 by Qatar’s Al Sadd in injury time on Monday. The defeat came despite Ronaldo's stellar form, including his recent goals in both the AFC Champions League and the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo’s Absence Felt in Al Nassr’s Setback
Ronaldo, who has been in exceptional form this season with 15 goals in 18 appearances, was notably rested for this match as Al Nassr had already secured their spot in the knockout stages of the tournament. His absence from the pitch was felt as Al Nassr struggled to hold off a determined Al Sadd side.
The match started with Akram Afif’s impressive goal for Al Sadd in the 53rd minute. Afif, the reigning AFC Player of the Year, displayed his lightning-fast pace to latch onto a long ball, outpace Al Nassr’s Mohammed Al Fatil, and slot the ball past goalkeeper Bento.
Al Nassr’s equalizer came in the 80th minute when Wesley’s low cross resulted in an own goal by Al Sadd’s Romain Saiss. However, the final twist came in injury time. Afif was fouled inside the penalty area, and substitute Adam Ounas converted the resulting penalty in the 99th minute, sealing a dramatic win for Al Sadd.
Despite the loss, Al Nassr remains third in the Western Region group stage, while Al Sadd’s victory propelled them to fourth place, securing their spot in the last 16 of the tournament.
Lotus365 Match Prediction: Al Nassr’s Road Ahead
As the tournament progresses, Lotus365 match prediction can help you keep up with the latest predictions for upcoming matches. The defeat to Al Sadd highlights the unpredictable nature of the tournament, and with more action ahead, stay tuned for expert match insights. Visit our sports betting page for the latest updates, betting tips, and expert opinions on all major football events.
Al Ahli Holds Top Spot, Despite Draw Against Esteghlal
In other AFC Champions League action, Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli maintained their position at the top of the group, despite drawing 2-2 with Iran's Esteghlal. Ivan Toney’s double secured a late comeback for Al Ahli, with both goals coming from the penalty spot. Esteghlal was reduced to 10 men after Mohammed Hossein Eslami’s red card, but Toney’s performance ensured Al Ahli’s unbeaten run in the tournament.
With the knockout stages on the horizon, keep an eye on Lotus365 match prediction for the best analysis and betting advice ahead of each fixture.
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