Ronaldo double, Al-Nassr perfect in Asian Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo scores a double as Al-Nassr wins 4-3 against Al Duhail in the Asian Champions League.

In a thrilling match at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his brilliance by scoring a remarkable double to lead Al-Nassr to a 4-3 victory over Al Duhail from Qatar. This win maintains Al-Nassr's perfect record in the Asian Champions League, as they now have nine points from three games in Group E.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star played a pivotal role in his team's success, as he not only scored a goal himself but also provided the assist for Anderson Talisca's opener in the 25th minute. Sadio Mane added a second goal for Al-Nassr, before Ronaldo unleashed a powerful strike from distance in the 61st minute to give his team a comfortable three-goal lead.

However, Al Duhail fought back valiantly, with Ismaeel Mohammad and Almoez Ali finding the back of the net to bring their team back into contention. Ronaldo's volley in the 81st minute seemed to secure the victory for Al-Nassr, but Michael Olunga's goal for Al Duhail five minutes before the final whistle made for a tense finish.

With this win, Al-Nassr now sits three points clear at the top of Group E, ahead of Iran's Persepolis. Persepolis secured a 2-0 victory against FC Istiklol of Tajikistan in Tehran, with Saeid Sadeghi scoring twice to secure their second win in three games and establish a five-point lead over Al Duhail and Istiklol.

In Group A, Al-Ain continued their dominant run in the tournament with a convincing 4-1 victory over Al-Fayha from Saudi Arabia. Kouame Kouaido opened the scoring for Al-Ain, followed by a brace from Paraguayan Kaku. Soufiane Rahimi sealed the win in the final minute, while Nawaf Al Harthi scored a consolation goal for Al-Fayha.

Al-Ain's win takes them to nine points from three games, giving them a comfortable six-point lead over Al-Fayha, Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan, and Ahal. Pakhtakor secured their first win of the campaign with a 3-0 victory over the Turkmenistan side, with Azizbek Turgunboyev scoring twice after Hojimat Erkinov had given them the lead.

It is worth noting that only the winners of each of the 10 groups in the competition will advance to the last 16. The three best runners-up from the eastern and western halves of the draw will join them in the knockout rounds, making every match crucial for the teams' progression in the tournament.