Pics by: @AlNassrFC on X
Doha: Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a second-half masterclass netting a brace to guide Al Nassr to a commanding 3-1 victory over Al Gharafa in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite at Al Bayt Stadium yesterday.
After four unsuccessful attempts in the first half, the Portuguese superstar broke the deadlock in the 46th minute with a well-timed header. He doubled his tally in the 64th minute with a precise right-footed strike from the center of the box before being substituted by coach Stefano Pioli nine minutes later.
Angelo also contributed to Al Nassr’s triumph with a brilliant finish in the 58th minute.
Al Gharafa’s Joselu briefly revived hopes for the home side in the 75th minute converting on his second attempt after Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento saved his initial shot.
However, the momentum shifted decisively when Seydou Sano was sent off in the 84th minute for a second yellow card leaving Al Gharafa to play with 10 men. Joselu’s goal ultimately proved to be a mere consolation.
“We faced a good team but we were better throughout the match to come out with a win and continue our path of achieving positive results in the competition,” Ronaldo said after the match.
“My passion for football is great and I am happy to return to Qatar and see many fans in the stadium.”
The defeat left Pedro Martins’ Al Gharafa seventh in the standings with four points while Al Nassr climbed to second in the West Zone standings with 13 points, a point ahead of Al Hilal, who face Al Sadd at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium today.
“We entered the match aiming for victory but we faced a team with top-level players,” said Martins.
“The team performed well in the first half but mistakes in the second half led to goals and ultimately, our defeat.”
Ronaldo set the tone for the match early, forcing Al Gharafa goalkeeper Sergio Rico into action in the third minute with a sharp low drive towards the bottom left corner. Rico denied Ronaldo again in the 19th minute, shortly after Marcelo Brozovic sent a wayward shot off a Ronaldo assist.
While Al Nassr dominated possession, Al Gharafa’s Yacine Brahimi shone in midfield creating opportunities for the hosts. His clever through ball set up Wajdi Kechrida but Bento thwarted the danger to keep the scoreline intact.
Al Nassr had a penalty in their favour overturned in the 27th minute after a lengthy VAR review deemed Matias Nani’s foul on Sadio Mane insufficient for a spot-kick. Ronaldo missed another chance in the 34th minute, heading off target from close range and Kechrida made a key block just before halftime to deny him after a fumble by Rico.
Ronaldo finally found the net moments after the restart, sending a header into the bottom left corner off a precise Sultan Al Ghannam cross. Angelo doubled Al Nassr’s lead in the 58th minute, evading Rico to score from the right side of the six-yard box after a smart pass from Otavio.
Ronaldo sealed the victory in the 64th minute firing his second goal from the center of the box following an assist from Angelo.
Al Gharafa struggled to build pressure after Joselu’s 75th-minute strike from Florinel Coman’s assist, with Sano’s late dismissal compounding their struggles.
Al Gharafa will face Al Hilal on December 3, a day after Al Nassr host Al Sadd in Riyadh.
