Al-Nassr looked the more dominant side right from the off as Stefano Pioli handed Jhon Duran his debut in the AFC Champions League fixture. ...
Al-Nassr looked the more dominant side right from the off as Stefano Pioli handed Jhon Duran his debut in the AFC Champions League fixture. Duran, who completed his big-money move from Aston Villa to the Saudi Pro League side last week, was paired alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.
The Saudi giants broke the deadlock in the 25th minute courtesy of a long-range strike from Ali Alhassan some 25 yards from goal.
Minutes before the half-time whistle, Al-Nassr were awarded a penalty after Sadio Mane's header hit an opposition defender's hand inside the box. Ronaldo took the spot-kick and comfortably found the back of the net to double his team's lead before the break.
Mane chased a through ball down the left side before floating in an inch-perfect cross for the Portugal legend to head home. In the dying moments of the game, second-half substitute Al Fatil scored a fourth goal to ensure a dominant victory for his club.
THE MVP
It was Ronaldo's night as the Portugal icon's brace helped Al-Nassr clinch a comfortable win in the AFC Champions League. The veteran forward, who will turn 40 in two days, remained active on the pitch throughout the game and constantly posed a threat on the opposition box.
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