Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Al Nassr Club cruised to a comfortable 5-1 win over Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, moving closer to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25.

A brace from Talisca, alongside goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wesley, as well as an own goal by Fabio Cardoso, helped the Saudi Arabian side climb to third in the standings with 10 points.

Al Ain, last season’s AFC Champions League winners, entered the match with only one point from three rounds and were stunned as early as the fifth minute when Talisca capitalized on open space at the top of the area, drilling a low shot past keeper Khalid Eisa.

The visitors were nearly let off the hook in the 11th minute when Otavio sent Ronaldo through on the counter-attack, but the Portuguese star’s shot went just wide of the left post.

Al Ain struggled to create chances but managed a half chance in the 14th minute when Soufiane Rahimi set up Kodjo Laba, whose tame effort was easily saved by Al Nassr keeper Bento.

At the other end, Eisa was tested in the 24th minute when Angelo forced a fine save from the Emirati custodian, who had to come to Al Ain’s rescue again in the 31st minute, palming away a shot from Sadio Mane. However, the ball fell kindly for Ronaldo, who thumped in the rebound.

Al Ain were caught napping in the 38th minute when a clever exchange between Mane and Angelo opened up space for Angelo, whose shot took a deflection off Cardoso, looping over Eisa and into the back of the net.

The visitors started the second half with more energy, pulling one back in the 56th minute after Park Yong-woo’s shot from distance struck the left post, ricocheted off Bento’s back, and settled in the net.

Al Nassr came close to extending their advantage in the 65th minute, but Eisa produced another brilliant save to keep out Talisca. Substitute Wesley netted the fourth for Al Nassr in the 81st minute, finishing off Angelo’s pass with a curling effort, before Talisca completed the comprehensive win with a solo effort in stoppage time.

Al Nassr will next travel to Al Khor to face Qatar’s Al Gharafa, while Al Ain will play Al Ahli Saudi FC.