Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Iran’s Esteghlal in Dubai on Tuesday in the Asian Champions League Elite phase. The win places Al-Nassr in a strong position in the group stage, bringing their points tally to seven after three matches.
The game, held at a neutral venue due to security concerns in Iran amid the ongoing conflict in the region, saw Esteghlal’s defense, led by goalkeeper Seyed Hossein Hosseini, holding firm for most of the match. Hosseini made multiple key saves, including a crucial stop in the 81st minute, blocking Ronaldo’s powerful header. However, Al-Nassr’s Aymeric Laporte took advantage of the rebound, heading the ball into the net to secure the win for his team.
Al-Nassr now closing on Saudi Pro League rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli
Despite dominating possession, Al-Nassr found it difficult to penetrate Esteghlal’s defense throughout the match. Coached by Stefano Pioli, Al-Nassr relied on Ronaldo’s leadership and constant involvement in their attacking plays, but the Iranian side’s defense held strong until Laporte’s decisive goal.
With this win, Al-Nassr is now closing in on Saudi Pro League rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, both of whom currently top the table with nine points. The victory puts Al-Nassr in a favorable position to qualify for the knockout rounds, with five group stage matches remaining.
Meanwhile, in another exciting clash, UAE’s Al-Wasl defeated Qatar’s Al Gharafa 2-1 in Doha. After Ferjani Sassi gave Al Gharafa a first-half lead, Fabio Lima equalized in the 84th minute. Isaac Success then sealed the win for Al-Wasl with a goal in stoppage time.
As the top eight teams in both east and west Asia advance to the knockout rounds, Al-Nassr’s win strengthens their chances of progressing. The knockout rounds begin in March, with one-off quarterfinals, semifinals, and final to be held in Saudi Arabia.
