WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL RESULTS | EUROPEAN & ASIAN MATCHES

 

RONALDO SCORES AS AL NASSR WIN FIRST AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GAME

Getty 

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning goal as Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia defeated Al Rayyan of Qatar 2-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite group stage on Monday.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner missed Al Nassr's opening 1-1 draw against Al-Shorta of Iraq two weeks ago because of a viral infection. On Monday, he had a goal ruled out for offside, but his shot into the top corner with 14 minutes remaining in Riyadh proved to be decisive.

Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané headed home for Al Nassr just before the break and the points seemed secure when Ronaldo added a second.

Al Rayyan came back in the game three minutes from the end when Roger Guedes scored from close range.

Al Nassr, seeking a first Asian title, hung on, however.

Riyad Mahrez scored his first goal of the season as Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia won at Al-Wasl of the United Arab Emirates 2-0 for a second straight win.

The Algerian attacker, who joined the Jeddah club from Manchester City in 2023, had been struggling for fitness.

Mahrez opened the scoring after just three minutes. He ran on to a long pass from defender Roger Ibañez and shot home from inside the area. He returned the favor seven minutes before the break as his corner was headed home powerfully by Ibanez.

Elsewhere, Al-Sadd of Qatar defeated Esteghlal of Iran 2-0, whose Tehran rival Persepolis drew with Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan 1-1.

The 24 teams are divided into two groups of 12 -- one based in the west and one in the east -- with the top eight from each progressing to the round of 16.

- Associated Press

CRISTIANO RONALDO OUTNL OF AL NASSR''S AFC CLASH WITJ VIRUS

Cristiano Ronaldo has been ruled out of Al Nassr's AFC Champions League Elite opener. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo has a virus and did not travel to Iraq with Al Nassr for Monday's AFC Champions League Elite debut match at Al Shorta, the Saudi team announced on Sunday.

Al Nassr said that the Portugal forward "wasn't feeling well" and "was diagnosed with a viral infection," adding that the team physician confirmed he needs to rest, meaning he will miss the contest against the Baghdad-based club.

Playing for Portugal in the Nations League, Ronaldo recently scored against both Croatia and Scotland to take his men's-record tally of international goals to 132.

Ronaldo won five UEFA Champions Leagues but has yet to win a major trophy with Al Nassr.

It's the first edition of the Elite version, which replaced the AFC Champions League as Asia's top club tournament.

Ronaldo's debut in the Elite tournament could now come against Qatari club Al Rayyan on Sept. 20 in Riyadh.

-