Ronaldo’s Two Goals Keep Al-Nassr’s Perfect Record

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo scored two impressive goals as Al-Nassr remained perfect in their Asian Champions League campaign early this morning as the Saudi Pro League club won 4-3 in Riyadh over Qatar’s Al-Duhail to go nine points from three games. Group E.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker fed Anderson Talisca to score his side’s first goal in the 25th minute while Sadio Mane grabbed the second, with Ronaldo firing in from distance in the 61st minute to give Al-Nassr a 3-0 lead.

Ismaeel Mohammad and Almoez Ali replied for Al Duhail before Ronaldo’s volley in the 81st minute restored the two-goal lead, before Michael Olunga struck Al Duhail’s third with five minutes remaining to ensure a thrilling finish.

The win put Al-Nassr three points ahead of Iranian club Persepolis, who saw goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand save Senin Sebai’s seventh-minute penalty before winning 2-0 in Tehran against Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol.

Saeid Sadeghi scored twice to enable the hosts to claim their second win in three matches and five points ahead of Al-Duhail and Istiklol, each by one point.

Al-Ain moved a step closer to the knockout rounds as Alfred Schreuder’s side hammered Saudi club Al-Fayha 4-1 to maintain their perfect record in Group A.

Paraguayan player Kaku scored twice, after watching Kouame Kouaido open the scoring, with Soufiane Rahimi sealing the win in the last minute after Nawaf Al-Harthi scored a consolation goal for the visitors.

The victory allowed Al-Ain to gain nine points from three matches, six points ahead of Al-Fayha, Pakhtakor from Uzbekistan and Ahal.

Pakhtakor picked up their first win of the campaign when they beat the Turkmen club 3-0 in Tashkent with Azizbek Turgunboyev scoring twice after Hojimat Erkinov had put them in front.

Only the winners of each of the 10 groups in the competition qualify for the last 16, where they will be joined by the top three runners-up from the east and west sides of the draw.