Al-Nassr Crushed 4-0 by Al-Ain in AFC Champions League Elite
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr faced a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Al-Ain in the AFC Champions League Elite, with Soufiane Rahimi leading the UAE club to a commanding victory. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward, chasing his 980th career goal, was unable to influence the match as his team was thoroughly dismantled.
Match Highlights
- 25th minute: Houssine Rahimi opened the scoring for Al-Ain.
- After 60 minutes: Houssine Rahimi doubled the lead.
- With 18 minutes left: Soufiane Rahimi scored the third goal.
- Shortly after: Soufiane Rahimi assisted Georgios Giakoumakis for the fourth goal, sealing the 4-0 win.
Ronaldo’s late free-kick attempt was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Khalid Eisa, denying him a consolation goal.
Post-Match Reactions
"The players gave everything they had, and I do not place any responsibility on them ... and the responsibility is my responsibility," said Al-Nassr head coach Ange Postecoglou. He described the team's overall performance bluntly: "Al-Nassr as a whole was poor."
Significance of the Defeat
This marks Ronaldo's worst loss since moving to the Middle East and his heaviest defeat since August 2022, when Manchester United lost 4-0 to Brentford. The defeat adds to Al-Nassr's struggles, with just one win in their last four matches across all competitions.
Other Saudi Clubs in the Tournament
- Al-Hilal won 2-1 against Qatar's Al-Gharafa, with goals from Ruben Neves (penalty) and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic; both teams finished with 10 men.
- Al-Qadsiah secured a 2-1 victory over UAE's Al-Wasl.
- Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad were held to 1-1 draws by Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor and Qatar's Al-Shamal, respectively.
Outlook for Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr must bounce back quickly to stop their losing streak and revive their continental ambitions. Pressure mounts on Ronaldo and his teammates to regain form and start winning again in the AFC Champions League Elite, especially as domestic rivals aim to build momentum.
