Follow usCristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr saw their Asian Champions League journey come to an end in the quarter-finals after a thrilling match against Al-Ain, which concluded with a 3-1 penalty shootout loss on Monday. Despite Al-Nassr’s 4-3 victory in the second leg to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit, the aggregate score tied at 4-4, leading to a decisive shootout where Al-Ain emerged victorious.
Foreign imports Miroslav Brozovic, Alex Telles, and Otavio from Al-Nassr failed to convert their penalties, allowing Al-Ain, from the United Arab Emirates, to advance to the semi-finals. Al-Ain’s goalkeeper Khalid Eisa redeemed himself by saving Brozovic’s opening penalty. With successful conversions by Soufiane Rahimi, Kaku, and Sultan Al Shamsi, Otavio’s miss proved decisive for Al-Nassr’s elimination.
The quarter-final clash at Al-Awwal Park featured seven goals, a red card, and intense drama. Rahimi’s goals in the 28th and 45th minutes put Al-Ain in control, but Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s late first-half goal kept Al-Nassr’s hopes alive. Al-Ain’s own goal from Otavio’s drive, along with Alex Telles’ late free-kick, leveled the aggregate scores.
Al-Nassr’s Ayman Yahya received a red card for a two-footed challenge, and Al-Shamsi thought he secured the win with a goal in extra time. However, Ronaldo, who was fouled in the area by Saeed Jumaa, converted a penalty two minutes before the end, forcing the match into a shootout. Ronaldo was the lone successful penalty taker for Al-Nassr, as Al-Ain advanced to the semi-finals.
In the upcoming semi-finals, Al-Ain will face either Al-Hilal or Al-Ittihad, both from Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, South Korean teams Jeonbuk Motors and Ulsan Hyundai will meet, and Harry Kewell’s Yokohama F Marinos will defend a 2-1 lead against Shandong Taishan on Wednesday in the eastern half of the draw.
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