al-gharafa vs al-nassr: Ronaldo's Brace Brings Al Nassr Close to AFC Champions League Last 16 Qualification

 Ronaldo's Brace Brings Al Nassr Close to AFC Champions League Last 16 Qualification

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice for Al Nassr as they continued to thrive in the AFC Champions League Elite, with the Saudi champions defeating Al Gharafa 3-1 in Qatar on Monday.

The 39-year-old Ronaldo played a crucial role in Al Nassr’s push towards the AFC Champions League last 16, with the team needing just two points from their remaining three group games. 

Only Al Shorta, currently on two points with four games left, can mathematically deny Al Nassr a place in the next round, after Persepolis drew 1-1 with Al Rayyan.

Ronaldo endured a frustrating first half at Al Bayt Stadium, missing several chances. However, just 50 seconds into the second half, he broke the deadlock with a close-range header from Sultan Al Ghannam’s cross. 

Angelo Gabriel, a summer signing from Chelsea, doubled Al Nassr’s lead in the 58th minute and then set up Ronaldo for his second goal just six minutes later. Ronaldo’s brace took his tally to four goals in this season’s competition before he was substituted in the 74th minute.

Al Gharafa pulled one back through Joselu, a former teammate of Ronaldo at Real Madrid, but their comeback hopes ended when Seydou Sano received a red card in the 84th minute. 

The win keeps Al Nassr unbeaten in five matches, securing second place in the Western standings. The top eight teams from each zone will progress to the knockout stages.

Meanwhile, Al Ahli continued their dominance in the Western Zone, clinching a 2-1 win over reigning champions Al Ain to reach the knockouts. Ivan Toney, signed from Brentford in August, came off the bench to score a quick-fire brace, capitalizing on assists from Riyad Mahrez. 

Despite Kaka’s late volley for Al Ain, Al Ahli maintained their perfect record with 15 points from five matches. Elsewhere, Esteghlal and Pakhtakor Tashkent played out a goalless draw in Dubai.

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