Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al Nassr triumphed 3-1 over Al Gharafa in the AFC Champions League Elite, extending their strong run in the competition.
The Saudi champions secured the victory in Qatar on Monday, with Ronaldo’s contributions pushing Al Nassr closer to a spot in the quarterfinals, needing just two points from their final three group matches.
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Al Nassr is now in a favorable position, with only Al Shorta—on two points with four games remaining—able to deny them a place in the next round, following Persepolis’ 1-1 draw against Al Rayyan.
Ronaldo, the Al Nassr captain, appeared to be heading for a frustrating game after missing several chances in the first half at Al Bayt Stadium. However, the Portugal star broke the deadlock less than a minute into the second half, heading in Sultan Al Ghannam’s cross from close range.
Al Nassr extended their lead through new signing Angelo Gabriel, who scored on the 58th minute after joining from Chelsea. Gabriel then turned provider six minutes later, setting up Ronaldo for his second goal of the match.
The goal brought Ronaldo’s tally to four goals in this season’s revamped competition before he was substituted in the 74th minute.
Al Gharafa did manage to pull one back through Joselu, a former teammate of Ronaldo’s at Real Madrid, but their hopes of a comeback were dashed when Seydou Sano was sent off for a second yellow card in the 84th minute.
The victory keeps Al Nassr unbeaten through five matches in the Western section of the draw, and they now sit second in the 12-team standings.
The Riyadh club now sit behind only Saudi Arabian counterparts Al Ahli, who maintained their 100 percent record thanks to a double from substitute Ivan Toney to see off Asian champions Al Ain 2-1 in the UAE and reach the knockouts for the first time.
The England international was left on the bench for the match at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, however having been introduced on 65 minutes, he scored within five minutes. First, he headed home Riyad Mahrez’s deep free-kick.
A late window signing from English Premier League club Brentford in August, Toney struck what proved to be the winner four minutes later.
This time, he met a superb long pass from former Manchester City winger Mahrez to finish past Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Essa.
Al Ain, who in April defeated Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds to win the title, pulled one back late on through Kaka’s sublime volley.
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