Al Nassr Faces First Asian Champions League Defeat Without Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the sidelines as already-qualified Al Nassr lost for the first time in this year's Asian Champions League Elite, being defeated 2-1 in injury time by Qatar's Al Sadd. 

Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the sidelines as already-qualified Al Nassr suffered their first loss in this year's Asian Champions League Elite, losing 2-1 in injury time to Qatar's Al Sadd. The Portuguese great, 39, was reportedly rested for the match in Riyadh after the Saudi club qualified for the knockout stages last week, with three rounds of the group phase remaining. Ronaldo scored twice against Al Gharafa, another Qatari club, the last time out, and then twice again in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.  

However, the Al Nassr captain was left out of Stefano Pioli's matchday roster for the visit of Al Sadd.

 

Ronaldo, who has 15 goals in 18 games for his club this season, was sighted at Al Awwal Park with his mother, Dolores Aveiro, and partner, Georgina Rodriguez.

 

Al Sadd seized the lead eight minutes into the second half when Akram Afif, the reigning AFC Player of the Year, ran from the halfway line to a long ball.  

Afif raced defender Mohammed Al Fatil and finished low past Brazil's goalkeeper Bento.

 

Al Nassr equalized on 80 minutes when Brazilian teenager Wesley's low cross was diverted into his own goal by Al Sadd defender Romain Saiss. 

 

However, Al Nassr would suffer a major setback when Afif was tripped within the hosts' penalty area, and substitute Adam Ounas converted from the spot in the 99th minute. 

With the defeat, Al Nassr remains third in the Western Region group stage, while Al Sadd moves to fourth, securing a ticket in the round of 16.

 

The top eight teams advance to the knockout stages.

 

Fellow Saudi side Al Ahli stays top, despite losing their perfect record in this year's tournament, thanks to an Ivan Toney double in a 2-2 draw with Iran's Esteghlal in Jeddah.

The England striker equalized for the hosts twice from the penalty spot, the first in first-half injury time and the second in the 86th minute. Mohammed Hossein Eslami was sent off by Esteghlal five minutes earlier.

Toney scored twice in his second Champions League Elite encounter, following his double against Asian champions Al Ain the previous week.