UAE’s Al Wasl inch closer to KOs as Ronaldo propels Al Nassr to brink of ACL last 16

UAE’s Al Wasl FC defeated Al Shorta of Iraq 3-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 clash on Tuesday to raise hopes of a spot in the knockout stage.

Victory at Karbala International Stadium saw Al Wasl climb up to fourth in the standings on 10 points with Al Shorta staying in 11th place on two points.

The result meant Al Hilal SFC and Al Nassr Club joined fellow Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli Saudi FC in confirming their knockout stage spots.

The first sight on goal went the way of the home side in the 12th minute with Hasan Raed sending his powerful header over the bar from Ahmed Farhan’s corner kick.

A lapse in concentration two minutes later saw Al Wasl take the lead when Ahmed Basil spilled Ali Saleh’s free-kick, with the ball eventually making its way to Jonatas Santos who curled it into the top corner.

Al Shorta tried to respond but had to wait until the 38th minute to test Al Wasl custodian Khaled Al Senani, Ameer Sabah with a swerving shot from 25 yards.

The Iraqi side went close again in first half stoppage time through a clever flick from Mohanad Ali that sailed just a little wide.

image content Head coach Ahmed Saleh sent on Fahad Youssef for the second half and within five minutes, the evergreen Syrian midfielder pulled Al Shorta level, blasting a stunning shot from distance that gave Al Senani no chance.

However, parity only lasted 14 minutes as Al Wasl restored their lead from the penalty spot after Ahmed Yahya handled the ball in the box with substitute Fabio Lima - who had only been on the field for two minutes - stepping up to convert.

image content The second goal knocked the wind out of Al Shorta’s sails with Nicolas Gimenez adding to the score in stoppage time to secure their third win of the campaign.

Al Wasl have a home encounter against Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC next week while Al Shorta will meet Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis FC.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice for Al Nassr as they continued to thrive in the AFC Champions League Elite, with the Saudi champions defeating Al Gharafa 3-1 in Qatar on Monday.

The 39-year-old helped move Al Nassr to the brink of the last 16 in Asia’s premier continental club competition, needing just two points from their final three group games.

Only Al Shorta, who have two points with four games to play, can deny Ronaldo’s side a place in the next round, after Persepolis drew 1-1 at Al Rayyan.

Al Nassr captain Ronaldo had looked destined to endure a hugely frustrating game following a series of missed opportunities in the first half at Al Bayt Stadium.

However, the Portugal star finally opened the scoring little more than 50 seconds into the second half, when he headed home Sultan Al Ghannam’s cross from close range.

Al Nassr then doubled their advantage through Angelo Gabriel, a summer signing from Chelsea, on 58 minutes, before the Brazilian turned provider six minutes later to tee up Ronaldo for his second.

The goal took the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward to four goals in this season’s rebranded competition before he was replaced on 74 minutes.

Al Gharafa did pull one back through Joselu, a former team-mate of Ronaldo at Madrid.

Yet their hopes of an unlikely late rally disappeared when Seydou Sano was sent off six minutes from the end of normal time for a second bookable offence.

The Riyadh club now sit behind only Saudi Arabian counterparts Al Ahli, who maintained their 100 per cent record thanks to a double from substitute Ivan Toney to see off Asian champions Al Ain 2-1 in the UAE and reach the knockouts for the first time.

Agencies