Ronaldo and Mahrez Shine in AFC Champions League as Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli Secure Crucial Wins

Cristiano Ronaldo and Riyad Mahrez played pivotal roles in securing important victories for their respective teams on matchday 2 of the AFC Champions League Elite group stage.

Al-Nassr earned a hard-fought 2-1 win against Qatar’s Al-Rayyan in Riyadh. The home side started aggressively, with Brazilian youngster Angelo missing a golden opportunity in the opening minutes. Ronaldo, who had missed the previous match due to a viral infection, also saw an early chance saved by Al-Rayyan goalkeeper Paulo Victor.

After a series of missed opportunities, including a disallowed goal for Ronaldo due to offside, Al-Nassr finally broke the deadlock. Cristiano Ronaldo, determined to make his mark, found the net in the 76th minute with a spectacular finish. Abdulrahman Ghareeb provided the assist, slipping the ball into the right side of the area for Ronaldo to fire a perfect shot into the opposite top corner.

The drama wasn’t over, as Roger Guedes pulled one back for Al-Rayyan in the 87th minute, setting up a tense finale. Despite nine minutes of added time, Al-Nassr held on for their first win in the tournament, moving to third place in their group with 4 points.

In Dubai, Riyad Mahrez led Al-Ahli to a convincing 2-0 victory over Al-Wasl. The Algerian winger, who had faced criticism for recent performances, silenced doubters with an early goal in the third minute. Mahrez brilliantly controlled a long pass from Roger Ibanez before calmly slotting past the goalkeeper, showcasing his world-class touch and finishing.

Mahrez then turned provider, delivering a precise corner that Ibanez headed home seven minutes before halftime. This win was particularly crucial for Al-Ahli and coach Mattias Jaissle, who had been under pressure following recent disappointing results, including a shock home defeat in the King’s Cup to First Division strugglers Al-Jandal.

The AFC Champions League’s new format sees teams playing eight games each, with the top eight in the 12-team group qualifying for the round of 16. This structure gives both Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli a solid foundation for progression in the tournament.

As the competition heats up, Al-Hilal, another Saudi powerhouse, is set to face Al-Shorta on Tuesday, looking to build on their opening game victory against Al-Rayyan. The Saudi clubs’ performances in this prestigious Asian tournament continue to draw significant attention, highlighting the growing strength of football in the region.