Ronaldo continued to be the inspiration in the match Al Nassr vs Istiklol, thereby helping the host have their second consecutive victory in the Asian Champions League group stage.

Scored

Al Nassr: Ronaldo (66′), Talisca (72′, 77′)

Istiklol: Sebai (44′)

Istiklol from Tajikistan is a familiar name in the continent’s highest level tournament. However, compared to the “galaxy” Al Nassr, Tajikistan is still completely inferior.

Al Nassr uses up to 5 foreign players in the main squad according to tournament regulations, including strikers Ronaldo, Talisca, midfielders Marcelo Brozovic, Seko Fofana and defender Aymeric Laporte. With superior force, the home team held the ball 83% of the time in the first half, shooting 9 times, of which 5 hit the goal. Ronaldo himself wasted an offside trap in the 27th minute and in the 40th minute, at close range, he could not beat goalkeeper Yatimov.

Attacking a lot and not scoring a goal, Al Nassr was paid the price before the break. Istiklol, in a death match, only finished once and scored at the end of the half. Senin Sebai penetrated the penalty area and shot past goalkeeper Nawaf Alaqidi, opening the score in the 44th minute.

In the second half, the away team resisted very determinedly, including a save on the goal line of Brozovic’s close-range header from goalkeeper Yatimov. But at the crucial moment, Ronaldo spoke up to save the team. In the 66th minute, Ronaldo broke the offside trap from Ghareeb’s through ball, before calmly pressing the ball over Yatimov’s head at a tight angle to equalize 1-1.

From minutes 72 to 77, Talisca scored 2 goals in a row with a header and a left foot shot, sealing a 3-1 victory. This result helps Al Nassr hold the top of Group E with 6 points after 2 matches. Next is Persepolis, who has 3 points thanks to a 1-0 win over Al Duhail.

Squad

Al Nassr: Nawaf; Al Ghannam, Lajami, Laporte, Qasem; Fofana, Al Khaibari; Talisca, Brozovic, Ghareeb; Cristiano Ronaldo.

Istiklol: Yatimov; Romish Dzhalilov, Kartashyan, Gogoua, Novoselec, Ismolov; Ehson, Beganovich, Alisher Dzhalilov; Senin Sebai, Kamolov.