Cristiano Ronaldo netted twice for Al Nassr as the Saudi champions secured a 3-1 victory over Al Gharafa in Qatar on Monday, continuing their impressive run in the AFC Champions League Elite.
The 39-year-old’s goals brought Al Nassr closer to the quarter-finals, with the team needing just two points from their final three group matches to progress. Only Al Shorta, who have two points with four games remaining, can mathematically deny Al Nassr a spot in the next round, after Persepolis drew 1-1 with Al Rayyan.
Al Nassr captain Ronaldo appeared set for a frustrating evening at Al Bayt Stadium following several missed chances in the first half. However, the Portuguese star broke the deadlock just 50 seconds into the second half, heading home a cross from Sultan Al Ghannam.
The Saudi side doubled their lead through Angelo Gabriel, a summer signing from Chelsea, in the 58th minute. Gabriel then turned provider six minutes later, setting up Ronaldo for his second goal of the night. This brought Ronaldo’s tally to four goals in this season’s rebranded competition before he was substituted in the 74th minute.
Al Gharafa pulled one back through Joselu, a former Real Madrid teammate of Ronaldo. However, their hopes of a comeback were dashed when Seydou Sano was sent off for a second bookable offence six minutes from time.
The victory ensures Al Nassr remain unbeaten in their five matches on the Western side of the draw, climbing to second in the 12-team standings.
Super-sub Toney
Elsewhere, Al Ahli continued their perfect record in the competition, thanks to a brace from substitute Ivan Toney, securing a 2-1 win over defending Asian champions Al Ain in the UAE and guaranteeing their spot in the knockouts for the first time.
The England international, signed from Brentford in August, came off the bench in the 65th minute and made an immediate impact. Within five minutes, Toney headed home Riyad Mahrez’s expertly delivered free-kick. Four minutes later, he scored the winner, finishing a sublime long pass from Mahrez past Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Essa.
Al Ain, who triumphed over Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in April to claim the title, responded with a stunning volley from Kaka late on but couldn’t salvage the match.
The win keeps Al Ahli at the top of the Western standings, having won all five matches and collecting 15 points.
In other matches within the section, Esteghlal of Iran were held to a goalless draw by Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor Tashkent in Dubai.