Cristiano Ronaldo Drives Al Nassr to AFC Champions League Win, Nets with His Weaker Foot

• Cristiano Ronaldo was on target as Al-Nassr laboured to a hard-fought victory in the AFC Champions League
• A goal on either side of halftime by Sadio Mane and Ronaldo ensured the Knights of Najd downed Al Rayyan
• The win moves the Riyadh-based giants to third position in the Western standings after two games played

Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his relentless brilliance, leading Al-Nassr to a triumphant 2-1 victory over Al Rayyan in the AFC Champions League at Al-Awwal Park.

Despite having an earlier goal disallowed for offside, the Portuguese superstar remained a constant threat and ultimately sealed the win with a stunning strike following Sadio Mane's opener.

Ronaldo powers Al-Nassr to victory

Ronaldo, sidelined from Al-Nassr's 1-1 draw with Al Shorta due to illness, was determined to make an impact in his AFC Champions League debut this season.

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Though the Knights of Najd initially found it difficult to penetrate Al Rayyan’s defence, they had goalkeeper Bento to thank after the visitors managed to carve open their backline.

Bolavip reports that on the brink of half-time, Mane provided the breakthrough, skillfully nodding in a perfectly placed cross from Sultan Al-Ghannam, igniting celebrations among the home supporters.

Al-Nassr, keen to build on their momentum, pushed forward after the interval, and Ronaldo thought he had doubled the lead early in the second half.

However, VAR overturned his crisp finish, denying him a goal.

Ronaldo scores with his weaker foot

The setback didn’t deter the 39-year-old forward, who continued to press. His persistence paid off in the 76th minute, following an incisive play from substitute Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Goal reports.

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Ghareeb's precise pass found Ronaldo, and with his supposedly weaker foot, he unleashed a powerful drive into the top corner, making it 2-0.

It was his first goal in the 2024/25 AFC Champions League, bringing his tally across all competitions this season to five.

Al-Nassr's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed late in the game as Roger Guedes pulled one back for Al Rayyan three minutes before full-time, creating tension in the closing stages.

Despite the scare, the Saudi outfit held firm to claim their first win in Asia’s premier club tournament.

6 most intelligent players in football

In an earlier report, Briefly News highlighted that football intelligence is a defining trait that sets the greats apart.

Players with high football IQs excel in making smart decisions under pressure, anticipating plays before they happen, and consistently finding space on the field. From Diego Maradona to Lionel Messi, here are the top six most intelligent footballers in history.

Source: YEN.com.gh