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At the AFC Champions League Elite, Cristiano Ronaldo was on target as Al Nassr inflicted a crushing 5-1 defeat on Al-Ain in Riyadh on Tuesday, leaving the title-holders' hopes of advancing to the round of 16 in jeopardy.
United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain were comprehensively outplayed throughout, and Anderson Talisca put Al Nassr in front in the fifth minute with a low drive from distance.
Al Nassr players celebrate during their AFC Champions League Elite match against Al Ain in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 5, 2024. /CFP
In the 31st minute Eisa spilled Sadio Mané's shot, and Ronaldo was there to tuck in the rebound to make it 2-0 for the hosts. Six minutes later, Brazilian winger Angelo Gabriel cut in from the left and his shot deflected off Fabio Cardoso, looping over a helpless Eisa to make it 3-0.
In the 56th minute, Park Yong-woo's drive bounced off the post then Bento's back to get Al Ain on the board. Wesley scored nine minutes from time to kill off the visitors any hope of a comeback. The 19-year-old Brazilian winger scored his first goal for Al Nassr at this year's Champions League Elite.
Talisca hit his second of the night in injury time to complete the 5-1 rout. The win was Al Nassr's third in four matches in the league phase and it moved Stefano Pioli's side up to third and within two points of fellow Saudi Pro League clubs Al Hilal and Al Ahli.
In other action, Bailey Brandtman scored deep into injury time to earn Central Coast Mariners a dramatic 2-2 draw with Shanghai Shenhua at home as the Chinese Super League (CSL) side threw away a two goal lead in Australia.
Shenhua took the lead when Andre Luis linked with Yu Hang who found the bottom corner in the 50th minute. Yu Hanchao doubled the lead for Shenhua in the 64th minute.
But James Ngorthen rounded Shenhua keeper to pull one back for the Mariners with 15 minutes remaining. Then off a corner and five minutes into added time, Brandtman tipped in the equalizer, and the AFC Cup holders ended their losing run in the competition in front of home fans with a 2-2 draw.
Kawasaki Frontale and Shanghai Port players in action during their AFC Champions League Elite match in Kawasaki, Japan, November 5, 2024. /CFP
Elsewhere, Kawasaki Frontale hosted recently crowned CSL champion Shanghai Port, and claimed a 3-1 victory.
Veteran winger Akihiro Lenaga scored from inside the box in the 12th minute to give Kawasaki the lead.
Frontale doubled their lead a minute later after another quick poach from Yusuke Segawa, who sloted in the rebound after Yan Junling saved Erison's initial attempt.
The Japanese side added another in the 33rd minute when Erison beat the offside trap and his cutback was dummied by Segawa to Sai van Wermeskerken who struck home.
Port pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute when Oscar set up Mathias Vargas for a sumptuous finish from the edge of the box, but it was only a consolation losing 3-1.