Cristiano Ronaldo was on target as Al-Nassr survived a scare in the Asian Champions League on Monday with the Saudi Pro League side coming from a goal down to hand Tajikistan's Istiklol a 3-1 defeat in Riyadh.
This was Ronaldo's first goal in the Asian Champions League since he joined the Saudi Arabian side in December 2022. He has consecutively scored in the recent seven games.
Al-Nassr players celebrate during an Asian Champions League group stage match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 2, 2023.
Senin Sebai scored on the break to put the club from Dushanbe in front with a minute left in the first half and Istiklol held out under relentless pressure until Ronaldo levelled with a clever clipped finish in the 66th minute.
Brazilian forward Anderson Talisca headed the Saudi outfit in front six minutes later and put the result beyond doubt with 13 minutes remaining when he stroked a low shot into the corner to give his side a win, as they are still in the hunt for their first continental title.
The victory was Al-Nassr's second in a row in the group stage of the competition and moves Luis Castro's side three points clear at the top of Group E.
(With input from Reuters)