Cristiano Ronaldo continued his impressive scoring streak, leading Al Nassr to a commanding 4-1 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in the AFC Champions League Elite quarterfinals. The 40-year-old superstar netted his eighth goal of the tournament, showcasing his enduring talent on the world stage. The match, held in Jeddah, saw a dominant first-half performance from Al Nassr, setting the tone for their advancement.
Jhon Durán, the club’s expensive January signing from Aston Villa, opened the scoring with an early goal. Sadio Mané quickly followed suit, adding another goal to solidify Al Nassr’s lead. Before halftime, Ronaldo capitalized on a goalkeeping error to secure his 33rd goal of the season across all competitions, putting Al Nassr firmly in control.
The second half saw Durán adding his second goal, further extending Al Nassr’s advantage. While Yokohama’s Anderson Lopes managed a consolation goal, it was too little, too late for the Japanese side. Al Nassr’s impressive display secured their place in the semifinals.
In another exciting quarterfinal match, Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League rivals, Al Ahli, defeated Buriram United 3-0, thanks to early goals from Riyad Mahrez, Galeno, and Roberto Firmino. This victory sets up an all-Saudi semifinal clash between Al Ahli and Al Hilal.
Al Hilal themselves had a resounding 7-0 win against Gwangju, with seven different players finding the back of the net. Coach Jorge Jesus expressed his delight with the result, highlighting the team’s renewed focus and commitment after a period of domestic pressure. Al Nassr now awaits their semifinal opponent, either Al Sadd or Kawasaki Frontale, in a match poised to deliver more thrilling action. The journey to the AFC Champions League Elite title is far from over, but Al Nassr, led by the legendary Ronaldo, is certainly looking strong.
