Al Ain Beats Ronaldo’s Al Nassr 4-0 in AFC Champions League Elite Match
Al Nassr’s first game back in Asia’s top club competition ended badly as they lost 4-0 to UAE champions Al Ain at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday. Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been a key player for Al Nassr, was quiet during the match. Meanwhile, Al Ain’s Rahimi brothers and Giorgos Giakoumakis dominated the game and helped their team secure a big win.
Houssine Rahimi scored twice for Al Ain, while his older brother Soufiane added another goal. Substitute Giakoumakis sealed the victory with a late goal. Al Ain took the lead in the 25th minute when Saad Al Nasser made a mistake in defense, allowing Houssine to score.
Al Nassr had chances but struggled to create opportunities after halftime. Ronaldo tried to make an impact but failed to score, and his team managed only three shots on target. A late overhead kick by Ronaldo went wide, and Khalid Eisa saved a free-kick attempt from him.
The win was special for Al Ain because the Rahimi brothers were still mourning their father’s recent passing. The match had extra significance as Soufiane had also scored against Al Nassr in a previous quarter-final clash earlier this year.
This loss is a blow to Al Nassr, who entered the season with high hopes after winning five games in a row. They now have only one win in their last four matches. Meanwhile, Al Ain started their West league stage strong with three points and a positive goal difference.
Both teams will next play in the league stage of the competition. Al Nassr faces Neftchi Fergana from Uzbekistan on October 12, while Al Ain takes on Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya from Iraq the same day.
The defeat shows how much work Postecoglou’s side still needs to do if they want to win the Asian title, which has so far eluded Ronaldo and Al Nassr this season.