Cristiano Ronaldo Scores as Al Nassr Advances to AFC Champions League Semifinals

Cristiano Ronaldo found the back of the net as Al Nassr secured a spot in the Asian Champions League semi-finals, triumphing 4-1 over Japan’s Yokohama F-Marinos on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Al Ahli, effectively the home side at King Abdullah Sports City due to the ongoing rounds of the restructured tournament taking place in Jeddah, claimed a 3-0 win against Thailand’s Buriram United, with Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino both scoring.

Later that evening, at the same venue, Ronaldo, on the hunt for his first major trophy with the Riyadh-based club, continued his remarkable scoring streak by netting his team’s third goal.

At 40 years old, Ronaldo played a pivotal role in Al Nassr’s first significant chance, backheeling Marcelo Brozovic’s pass to the Croatian, whose shot was saved by Yokohama’s goalkeeper, Park Il-gyu.

Yokohama, last season’s runners-up, recently parted ways with former England assistant manager Steve Holland.

Around the midpoint of the first half, winter signing Jhon Duran nearly tested Park with a shot, only to skew his attempt off target.

Duran did break the deadlock in the 27th minute, capitalising on a misdirected clearance from Yokohama defender Thomas Deng, which ricocheted off the post, allowing Duran to tap in from close range.

Just four minutes later, Al Nassr doubled their lead when a counter-attack concluded with Otavio setting up Mane, who fired a low shot past Park into the net.

Seven minutes before the half-time whistle, Ronaldo added to the tally. Park could only deflect a shot from Brozovic into the air, enabling the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to volley the ball home from within six yards.

Ronaldo, the top scorer of this season’s Saudi Pro League, has netted eight times in seven appearances in this Champions League campaign, just behind joint-leaders Riyad Mahrez, Salem Al-Dawsari, Anderson, and Jasir Asani.

Duran secured his brace in the 49th minute following a counter-attack initiated by Ronaldo, capitalising on a rebound to make it 4-0 for Al Nassr.

Yokohama managed to pull one back just three minutes later, with Kota Watanabe’s shot finding its way past Brazil’s goalkeeper Bento.

Ronaldo was substituted in the 66th minute as manager Stefano Pioli looked ahead to the upcoming semi-final. Watanabe received a second yellow card shortly thereafter, leaving Yokohama to finish the match with ten men.

Al Nassr now awaits the winner of the clash between Qatar’s Al Sadd and Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, who will compete on Sunday for a place in the last four.

In the other semi-final scheduled for Tuesday, record four-time Asian champions Al Hilal will face fellow Saudi side Al Ahli.