Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — In a gripping AFC Champions League 2023/24 quarter-final showdown that went the distance, Al Nassr's valiant comeback was ultimately thwarted in a penalty shootout, concluding their journey in the tournament.

Despite their efforts, the Riyadh-based club was edged out by Al Ain, who advanced to the semi-finals after a 3-1 win in the penalties, following a dramatic 4-4 aggregate scoreline that spanned regular time in Al Ain and 120 minutes in Riyadh.

The first leg had seen Al Ain secure a slender advantage thanks to Soufiane Rahimi's prowess, and the forward continued his impressive form by netting two goals in the return leg's first half.

However, the resilience of Al Nassr shone through after the break, spearheaded by a crucial penalty conversion from Cristiano Ronaldo, pushing the match into a high-stakes shootout.

From the outset, the match was a high-octane affair, with Al Nassr aggressively pursuing a reversal of fortunes and Al Ain keen on extending their lead. Early attempts from both sides set the tone, but it was Rahimi who broke the deadlock for Al Ain. Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr's star forward, came agonizingly close to leveling the scores, only to be denied by Khaled Eisa's superb goalkeeping.

Rahimi doubled his tally and Al Ain's lead just before halftime, putting Al Nassr under significant pressure. Nonetheless, Abdulrahman Ghareeb's goal in added time breathed new life into Al Nassr's aspirations. The momentum carried into the second half, where Otavio's strike pulled Al Nassr level on the night, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

Despite creating numerous opportunities, including a glaring miss by Ronaldo, Al Nassr managed to tie the aggregate score through Alex Telles' expertly taken free-kick, forcing the match into extra time. However, a red card for Ayman Yahya left Al Nassr with ten men, a disadvantage that Al Ain exploited to retake the lead through Sultan Al Shamsi.

Drama peaked when Ronaldo was fouled in the box, stepping up to confidently convert the ensuing penalty and send the match to a shootout. However, the shootout favored Al Ain, with Eisa's save and subsequent misses from Al Nassr sealing their fate.

This loss marks a bitter end to Al Nassr's campaign, a mix of high hopes and what-ifs. Yet, the team's spirit and determination in the face of adversity are commendable, laying the groundwork for future successes. As Al Ain progresses, Al Nassr's focus will shift to domestic competitions and building for the next challenge, with the lessons learned from this thrilling encounter undoubtedly shaping their path forward.