“I’m sad because of this defeat and the exit from the competition,” said Vitoria in the post-match press conference.

“I’m not sad because of the performance of the players who had a good match tonight,” he explained. “It is because there were some minor details that caused the defeat.”

Al Sadd levelled the tie on aggregate through Akram Afif in the 26th minute but Al Nassr looked to have taken control of the driver's seat when Moroccan forward Abderrazak Hamdallah scored 12 minutes before the break.

Not only had Al Nassr cancelled Al Sadd's away goal but were ahead on aggregate but it was not to be as Hassan Al Haydos scored with a screamer in the 59th minute and Algerian international Baghdad Bounedjah ended the dream of the Saudi giants from the penalty spot seven minutes before the end.

“The match was even until Al Sadd scored the third goal from the penalty spot,” said Vitoria. “This goal helped them secure the win and advance to the semi-finals.”

Al Nassr, however, can walk tall after appearing in the quarter-finals for the first time and with their place in next season's AFC Champions League already secured, the Saudi Pro League champions can look forward to another crack at the Continental club tournament.