Al-Nassr secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Iran’s Esteghlal, allowing the Saudi Pro League team to advance to the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League Elite. Jhon Duran was the standout player, scoring two goals, while Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty in the match held in Riyadh. This victory comes after a goalless draw in the first leg last week in Tehran.
Duran opened the scoring early in the match, taking advantage of a mistake from Esteghlal’s goalkeeper Seyed Hossein Hosseini. Ronaldo followed up with his penalty in the 27th minute after a foul on Sadio Mane. The task became even more daunting for Esteghlal when Mehran Ahmadi was sent off for a second yellow card before halftime. Duran capped off his outstanding performance by netting his second goal of the game late in the match.
Mane praised the team’s performance, highlighting their ability to create opportunities and capitalize on Esteghlal’s errors. “We created many chances and scored three goals. I think we got our reward,” he stated.
In another match, Qatar’s Al-Sadd advanced with a 3-1 victory over Al-Wasl, driven by Akram Afif, who scored and assisted in a flurry of first-half action that saw Al-Sadd overturn an early deficit. The match highlighted the competitive spirit in the tournament, as both sides displayed their determination to progress.
Both Al-Nassr and Al-Sadd’s progress into the quarter-finals showcases the growing prowess of Gulf football in Asian tournaments, providing a promising outlook for the future of the region’s clubs. The Asian Champions League Elite’s centralized quarter-finals will take place in Jeddah from April 25 to May 3, potentially offering an exciting platform for Saudi teams to shine on a larger stage.
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