Al-Nassr asserted their authority from the onset in the match in the AFC Champions League, while Stefano Pioli handed Jhon Duran his first appearance after signing the Columbian international from Aston Villa for the Saudi Pro League. The attacking duo included Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time.
The Saudi side broke the deadlock when Ali Alhassan unleashed a powerful long-range shot from 25 yards out in the 25th minute. Before halftime, Al-Nassr were awarded a penalty after Sadio Mane struck the hand of an Al Wasl defender with a header inside the box. Ronaldo calmly converted the penalty, doubling his team’s lead heading into the break.
Al Wasl began the second half strongly, trying to score a goal, but Ronaldo scored his second of the night in the 78th minute to give Al-Nassr victory against the run of play. Mane provided a great assist, as he sent a perfectly placed cross into the box, which Ronaldo headed home for his second of the night. In the last minutes of the game, substitute Al Fatil added a fourth for Al-Nassr to wrap up a commanding victory.
It was undeniably Ronaldo’s night as the veteran forward celebrated his 40th birthday, leading his team to bag all points. Ronaldo may be an aging striker but he remains a constant threat, and he heavily contributed in this game. The penalty coming Al Wasl’s way was from Salem Al Azizi, whose outstretched arm obstructed Mane’s header, which had found its way into the six-yard box. Pioli’s men will thus shift focus on a Saudi Pro League outing scheduled for Friday, against Al Feiha.
