Cristiano Ronaldo scored a spectacular double as Al-Nassr stayed perfect in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday, the Saudi Pro League outfit getting a 4-3 win in Riyadh over Al Duhail from Qatar to move on to nine points from three games in Group E.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward set up Anderson Talisca to score his side's opener in the 25th minute and Sadio Mane netted the second, with Ronaldo scoring from distance in the 61st minute to give Al-Nassr a three-goal lead.
How's that for a set up?
Cristiano Ronaldo with a cheeky backheel for a tidy Talisca finish. pic.twitter.com/WU4ttxqEW7— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 24, 2023
Ismaeel Mohammad and Almoez Ali pulled Al Duhail back into contention before Ronaldo's 81st-minute volley restored their two-goal cushion, only for Michael Olunga to hit Al Duhail's third with five minutes remaining to ensure a tense finish.
Cristiano Ronaldo goals in AFC Champions League
CRISTIANO RONALDO GOLAZO.
A goal and an assist today for Al Nassr in the AFC Champions league. pic.twitter.com/xcHgVRIfUA— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 24, 2023
CRISTIANO RONALDO CAN'T BE STOPPED.
TWO GOALS AND AN ASSIST AGAINST AL-DUHAIL. pic.twitter.com/Yqu4tNqBHy— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 24, 2023
The win moves Al-Nassr three points clear of Iran's Persepolis, who saw Alireza Beiranvand make a seventh-minute penalty save from Senin Sebai before winning 2-0 in Tehran against FC Istiklol of Tajikistan.
HIGHLIGHTS | Al Nassr 4️⃣-3️⃣ Al Duhail SC
Ronaldo double drives the hosts to edge out a seven-goal thrillerMatch report https://t.co/QYaOS7SnrW#ACL | #NSRvDUH pic.twitter.com/AT7W5w7LsI
— #ACL (@TheAFCCL) October 24, 2023
Only the winners of each of the 10 groups in the competition will advance to the last 16, where they will be joined by the three best runners-up from the eastern and western halves of the draw.
(Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Clare Fallon)
