Al Nassr Clinches Late Victory, Secures Asian Champions League Spot

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr qualified for the Asian Champions League group stage with an injury-time victory against Shabab Al Ahli.

In a thrilling match, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr secured a spot in the Asian Champions League group stage with an injury-time victory against Shabab Al Ahli. The Saudi Pro League team came from behind to win 4-2 in the play-off at Mrsool Park. Brazilian Anderson Talisca scored two goals, while Croatia international Marcelo Brozovic sealed the win. Al Nassr was just two minutes away from elimination before their remarkable comeback.

This victory means that Al Nassr, who finished as runners-up in the domestic league last season, will now compete in the group phase starting next month. Ronaldo, a legendary player with five UEFA Champions League titles, made his debut in Asian club competition after joining Al Nassr in December.

The scoring started early in the match, with Talisca heading home a corner from Brozovic in the 11th minute. However, Yahya Al Ghassani equalized for Shabab Al Ahli just seven minutes later, capitalizing on a counterattack by slotting the ball into Al Nassr's net.

Ronaldo, the captain of Al Nassr, showed signs of frustration as he left the pitch at halftime. He was seen arguing with the referee, believing that he should have been awarded two penalties in the first half.

Just one minute into the second half, Al Ghassani broke through Al Nassr's defense and flicked the ball over the goalkeeper to give Shabab Al Ahli the lead. However, Al Nassr managed to equalize with just two minutes of normal time remaining. Full-back Sultan Al Ghannam's header was deflected into his own goal by Walid Abbas.

Al Nassr completed their comeback in the dying moments of injury time. Talisca headed the ball into the net from close range, securing the victory for his team. In the final moments of the match, as Shabab Al Ahli desperately searched for an equalizer, Ronaldo set up Brozovic, who drilled his shot into the net, putting the game beyond doubt.

In other matches in the west zone, Sharjah, a team from the UAE, also qualified for the tournament proper with a 3-1 victory against Iran's Tractor FC. Uzbekistan's Navbahor Namangan defeated Al Wakrah from Qatar 1-0 after extra time.

In another play-off match on Tuesday, Uzbek side AGMK Olmaliq defeated Qatar's Al Arabi 1-0.