Ronaldo Fires Blank on Asian Champions League Debut but Al Nassr Pick Win Against Persepolis

• Al-Nassr began their AFC Champions League journey on a winning note in Tehran
• Luis Castro's men brushed aside Iranian club Persepolis in their Group E opener
• The victory puts Al-Nassr at the top of the standings, with Persepolis at the bottom

Al-Nassr launched their AFC Champions League campaign with an impressive victory against Iranian champions, Persepolis at the Azadi Stadium on Tuesday, September 19.

Second-half strikes from Abdulrahman Ghareeb and Mohammed Qassem Al Nakhil were more than enough to help the Knights of Najd secure a 2-0 win in the city of Tehran.

Before the match, all eyes were on Cristiano Ronaldo, whose presence in the Iranian capital along with his teammates caused a city-wide frenzy, as fans swarmed to catch a glimpse of their idol, per Al Jazeera.

The overwhelming adoration for the Portuguese veteran and his teammates was so intense that Al-Nassr reportedly had to cancel their planned training session earlier in the week.

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However, once the referee's whistle blew, Luis Castro's squad focused on the game, dominating possession but struggling to break through Persepolis' defence.

The Riyadh-based team eventually found the net when Ronaldo combined with his compatriot Otavio. Unfortunately, the goal was disallowed for offside.

Nevertheless, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner played a crucial role in the game's opening goal, delivering a precise pass to Brozovic, who set up Ghareeb in the 62nd minute, myKhel reports.

Ten minutes later, Ghareeb turned provider, feeding Qasem, who sealed Al-Nassr's lead with a powerful finish from inside the box.

His goal was the crowning moment as the Saudi side held on to secure all three points and, most importantly, claim the top spot in Group E.

Persepolis coach hails Ronaldo's influence

Previously, Sports Brief reported on Persepolis manager, Yahya Golmohammadi commenting on the enthusiastic reception Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr teammates received upon their arrival in Tehran, Iran.

In reaction to the craze, which appeared to have captured the hearts of people of all generations Golmohammadi commended the profound influence of Ronaldo ahead of an AFC Champions League clash.