Cristiano Ronaldo Propels Al Nassr to AFC Champions League Quarter Finals in Win Over Al Fayha

• Al-Nassr has reached the quarter-finals of the AFC CL
• The Knights of Najd beat Al Fayha 3-0 over two legs
• They will face UAE giants, Al Ain, in the last eight

Cristiano Ronaldo propelled Al-Nassr into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League, marking the club's first advancement to this stage since the 2021 edition, thanks to a 3-0 aggregate victory over Al-Fayha.

In the second leg at Al-Awwal Park, the Portuguese superstar and his compatriot, Otavio, found the back of the net on either side of half-time, securing a decisive victory for the Riyadh-based giants in the Asian equivalent of the UEFA Champions League.

Ronaldo, Otavio fire Al-Nassr to last-8

From the outset, Al-Nassr asserted their dominance, with Luis Castro's attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Otavio, and Ronaldo posing constant threats to the Al-Fayha defence.

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Otavio opened the scoring in the 17th minute, capitalising on a precise cross from Saudi midfielder, Abdullah Al-Khaibari.

Despite relentless pressure from Al-Nassr, Al-Fayha's defence held firm, proving frustrating in their opponents' attempts to extend their lead.

Ronaldo came close to doubling the advantage with a header that struck the post in the 37th minute, earning a caution for a late challenge shortly after.

After half-time, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner appeared to have extended Al-Nassr's lead, only to see his goal disallowed for offside.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo redeemed himself late in the game, sealing the victory with a well-taken goal in the 86th minute, according to GOAL.

What's next for Ronaldo's Al-Nassr?

Ronaldo's goal ensured Al-Nassr's progression to the quarter-finals, where they will face Emirati club, Al Ain, in the next stage of the AFC Champions League, as cited by Sportstar.

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Ronaldo salutes Al-Nassr fans

Sports Brief also reported that Ronaldo extended appreciation to Al-Nassr fans after progressing to the quarter-finals of the 2023/24 AFC Champions League on Wednesday.

The 39-year-old, who clinched the title of top goal scorer worldwide in 2023, has maintained his sensational form since the resumption of competitive football in 2024.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus superstar shared both his joy and gratitude for Al-Nassr's latest achievement.