)
Cristiano Ronaldo took his tally in the AFC Champions League to seven goals in nine matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the most fearful striker in the UEFA Champions League before leaving for the sandy Gulf, scoring 140 goals (most). He has since continued his incredible finishing rate in the Middle East and has carried on his inevitable goalscoring trait to the Asian Champions League.
Although his Al-Nassr were dumped out by Emirati side Al-Ain in the quarter-finals last season, Ronaldo still finished with six goals in eight games. He would be hoping to lead his team to glory this campaign as they start their journey with a 2-1 win over Al-Rayyan thanks to the Portuguese’s winning strike.
)
13:43 - 30.09.2024
‘I will retire’ - Cristiano Ronaldo drops major hint on when he will hang his boots
One of the greatest players of all time reveals when he plans on calling it quits after over two decades of playing football.
)
13:11 - 30.09.2024
Video: Jay-Jay Okocha snubs Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar as he picks the player who dribbles better than him
Okocha failed to pick Messi or Neymar when asked to choose a player (past or present) who is a better dribbler than him.
Key match details
Al-Nassr asserted their dominance from the outset, threatening to breach the opposition's defence within the first 15 minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo unleashed the initial salvo in the 10th minute, testing Paulo Victor.
Moments later, Ronaldo squandered a gilt-edged opportunity, directing Angelo Gabriel’s pinpoint cross wide from point-blank range. The Brazilian shot-stopper once again proved equal to the task, denying the Al-Nassr striker.
On the cusp of halftime, Al-Nassr finally cracked the code. Sadio Mane's unchecked header from Sultan Al Ghanam's inviting cross sent the Saudi Arabian side into the ascendancy.
The second half commenced with Ronaldo's would-be opener ruled out by VAR due to offside, following an exhaustive review. Undeterred, Ronaldo eventually found redemption in the 76th minute. Collecting Abdulrahman Ghareeb's pass on the right side of the box after peeling away from the defence, he coolly slotted the ball home with his weak foot, if you can call it that, doubling Al-Nassr's advantage.
Collecting Abdulrahman Ghareeb's pass on the right side of the box after peeling away from the defence, he coolly slotted the ball home with his weak foot, if you can call it that, doubling Al-Nassr's advantage.
Al Rayyan got a late goal from Roger Guedes's strike, but there was not enough time left on the clock to inspire a comeback
The goal took Cristiano’s tally for the season to eight goals for club and country. He also has two assists to boot.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
![‘I don’t take [the decision]’ - Bruno apologises to teammates despite disagreeing with red card](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/30092024/1a2c57fb-1797-4090-98d5-1d1f3fd39a7b.jpg?operations=fit(600:))
)