Al-Nassr achieved an impressive 3-0 victory against Iran’s Esteghlal, successfully securing their advance to the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League Elite. Jhon Duran emerged as the star of the match, netting two goals, while Cristiano Ronaldo added a penalty to seal the win during the encounter in Riyadh. This triumphant match followed a goalless draw between the teams in the first leg held last week in Tehran.
Duran wasted no time, scoring the opening goal shortly after kickoff by taking advantage of a slip from Esteghlal’s goalkeeper, Seyed Hossein Hosseini. Ronaldo extended the lead with a penalty in the 27th minute, awarded after a foul on Sadio Mane. The situation worsened for Esteghlal when Mehran Ahmadi was sent off just before halftime due to a second yellow card. Duran completed his remarkable display late in the match by scoring his second goal of the game.
Mane, reflecting on the game, commended the team’s performance, emphasizing their proficiency in creating chances and taking advantage of errors made by Esteghlal. “We created many chances and scored three goals. I think we got our reward,” he remarked.
In a parallel development, Qatar’s Al-Sadd also progressed in the tournament by defeating Al-Wasl with a score of 3-1, led by Akram Afif’s impactful play, who contributed both a goal and an assist during a decisive first half where Al-Sadd came from behind. This match further showcased the competitive nature of the tournament.
The successful progression of both Al-Nassr and Al-Sadd into the quarter-finals highlights the advancing stature of Gulf football within Asian competitions, offering a hopeful perspective for the future of regional clubs. The centralized quarter-finals for the Asian Champions League Elite are set to take place in Jeddah from April 25 to May 3, creating an exciting opportunity for Saudi teams to shine on the continental stage.
Leave a comment