Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 21st goal of the season and his fourth in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday, securing a vital victory for Al Nassr over Al Fayha with a brilliant display of skill. The match, an all-Saudi last 16 tie, ended 1-0 in favor of Al Nassr.
At the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, the 39-year-old Portuguese star initially struggled to gain momentum against a club positioned 14th in the Saudi Pro League.
Al Fayha is one of only two teams in the domestic league to have kept Ronaldo from scoring, and it seemed likely that this streak would extend to a third match.
However, in the 81st minute, Ronaldo surged forward and cleverly volleyed the ball over the head of the oncoming goalkeeper, Vladimir Stojkovic, following a swift one-two with Marcelo Brozovic.
Earlier in the match, Ronaldo had missed a much simpler opportunity just before half-time, with his weak effort being saved by Stojkovic.
In other fixtures on Wednesday, Bangkok United secured a 2-2 draw against Yokohama F Marinos with a stoppage-time goal, while FC Nasaf and Al Ain played out a goalless draw.
South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are on the brink of securing a spot in the quarter-finals after defeating Pohang Steelers 2-0.
At Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonbuk, champions in 2006 and 2016, found the net through their Brazilian forward Hernandes in the 17th minute, and Ahn Hyun-beom extended the lead in the 64th.
Meanwhile, Bangkok United’s substitute Mahmoud Eid scored a header in the 92nd minute, rallying the Thai side from a 2-0 deficit at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani.
Nitipong Selanon had earlier narrowed the gap with a goal three minutes before the end of the first half.
For the visiting Japanese team, Elber opened the scoring in the 18th minute, and Watanabe found the net from Ren Kato’s well-placed pass to double the lead in the 24th.