AFC Champions League Two
A blistering opening 30 minutes saw Al Nassr race to a three-goal lead with Ronaldo scoring his first of the campaign as the Saudi Arabia side set up a semi-final against Qatar’s Al Ahli SC on Wednesday.
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For the first time in this season’s competition, Al Nassr head Jorge Jesus started Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Kingsley Coman and Joao Felix together as the Saudi Pro League exerted control from the start.
The opening goal came after 11 minutes when Coman slipped Nawaf Bu Washl into space with the right-back cutting the ball back for Ronaldo to sweep home into the bottom corner for his first goal of the competition.
The opening goal came after 11 minutes when Coman slipped Nawaf Bu Washl into space with the right-back cutting the ball back for Ronaldo to sweep home into the bottom corner for his first goal of the competition.
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Felix then showed his prowess in dead-ball situations, delivering an inch-perfect inswinging corner for Inigo Martinez to glance home the second in the 24th minute.
The Portuguese forward produced another enticing cross two minutes later for centre-back Abdulelah Al Amri to nod home past Mohamed Ali as Al Wasl’s defence looked shellshocked.
The Portuguese forward produced another enticing cross two minutes later for centre-back Abdulelah Al Amri to nod home past Mohamed Ali as Al Wasl’s defence looked shellshocked.
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The home side saw little of the ball in the opposition half but had an opportunity at the half-hour mark with Brahian Palacios beating Martinez for pace but then dragging his shot wide as Al Wasl went into the break with a mountain to climb.
Rui Vitoria rang the changes for his Al Wasl side for the second half with Renato Junior, Renato Tapia and Abdelrahman Saleh entering the fray but a couple of attempted moves at reducing the deficit were flagged for offside.
Rui Vitoria rang the changes for his Al Wasl side for the second half with Renato Junior, Renato Tapia and Abdelrahman Saleh entering the fray but a couple of attempted moves at reducing the deficit were flagged for offside.
Al Nassr custodian Bento Krepski was given his first test in the 57th minute when he saved a stinging Palacios effort before Ronaldo directed a point-blank header over the bar prior to being replaced by Abdullah Al Hamddan.
Despite Al Wasl’s improvement, Al Nassr put the seal on an impressive win in the 80th minute when Al Hamddan sent Mane through to round goalkeeper Ali and slot into an empty goalmouth.
Despite Al Wasl’s improvement, Al Nassr put the seal on an impressive win in the 80th minute when Al Hamddan sent Mane through to round goalkeeper Ali and slot into an empty goalmouth.
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