Ronaldo scores twice in al-nassr victory in AFC Champions League Elite

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (AP) -Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, and Saudi Arabia’s al-Nassr defeated the United Arab Emirates’ al-Wasl 4-0 in the AFC Champions League Elite Monday.

The Portuguese star, who turns 40 on Wednesday, noted its 22nd and 23rd goals for the season for the Riyadh club, which had already secured progression in the 16th round before this penultimate round of the group stage.

New Al-Nassr transfer Jhon Duran, signed from Aston Villa in the Premier League on Friday, debuted.

Midfielder Ali Al-Hassan gave the homeland a 25th minute lead, and Ronaldo scored from the place just before the break. Ronaldo then went home 12 minutes from the end. Mohammed al-Fatil added the fourth.

AL-NASSR cemented third place in the 12-team group, while colleague Saudi side Al-Ahli went to the top after winning Al-Sadd in Qatar 3-1.

This year’s Asian player Akram AFIF put Al-Sadd ahead after only 47 seconds, but former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino did it 1-1 in the 10th minute with a spectacular bike park.

Brazilian defender Ibanez scored for Al-Ahli just before the break and Riyad Mahrez, signed from Manchester City in 2023, sealed the victory for the Jeddah team in 81.

Elsewhere, Qatars al-rayyan beat the defending champion al-Ain 2-1 and Iraq’s al-Shorta Drew with Iran’s Persepolis 1-1.

The top eight from the two groups representing West and East Asia move on to the second round.

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