Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the stands as already qualified Al Nassr lost for the first time in this year’s Asian Champions League elite as they were beaten 2-1 by Qatar’s Al Sadd in injury time on Monday. The 39-year-old Portuguese star was reportedly rested for the match in Riyadh after the Saudi club sealed their place in the knockout stage last week with three rounds of the group stage remaining. Ronaldo scored twice last time out against another Qatari team Al Gharafa and then scored a double again in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.
However, the Al Nassr captain was dropped from Stefano Pioli’s matchday squad for the trip to Al Sadd.
Ronaldo, who has scored 15 goals in 18 matches for his club this season, was seen sitting with his mother Dolores Aveiro and his partner Georgina Rodriguez at Al Awal Park.
Al Sadd took the lead eight minutes into the second half through Akram Afif, when the reigning AFC Player of the Year raced onto a long ball from the halfway line.
Afif went past defender Mohammed Al Fatil and past Brazilian goalkeeper Bento.
Al Nassr equalized on 80 minutes, once Brazilian youngster Wesley’s low cross was converted into an own goal by Al Sadd defender Romain Saiss.
However, it would be a huge blow for Al Nassr when Afif tripped inside the hosts’ penalty area and substitute Adam Onas scored from the spot in the 99th minute.
With the defeat, Al Nassr finished third in the Western Region group stage, while Al Sadd dropped to fourth and claimed a place in the last 16.
The top eight teams qualify for the knockout stage.
Fellow Saudi side Al Ahly remain on top – even if they surrendered their 100 per cent record in this year’s tournament – thanks to a double from Ivan Toney who earned a 2-2 draw with Iran’s Esteghlal in Jeddah.
The England striker equalized twice for the hosts from the penalty spot, the first coming in first-half injury time and the second converted in the 86th minute. Esteghlal had sent off Mohammad Hossein Eslami five minutes earlier.
This represents the second consecutive Champions League Elite match with Toney having scored twice against Asian champions Al Ain last week.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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