The AFC Champions League Two knockout stage delivered a tense and tactical battle as Al Nassr edged past FK Arkadag 1-0 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on February 11, 2026. The Round of 16 clash, held at the Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, was eagerly anticipated by fans across Asia and beyond, with both teams looking to make a statement in their continental campaigns.
Al Nassr entered the fixture as clear favorites, having stormed through the group stage with a flawless record. The Saudi Pro League giants finished atop Group D, collecting all 18 points from six matches, scoring a staggering 22 goals while conceding just two. Their dominance was underscored by a 5-1 thrashing of Al Zawraa in their final group game, where Kingsley Coman netted twice, and Wesley, Abdulelah Al Amri, and Joao Felix also found the back of the net. Their impressive run continued domestically, with six consecutive victories in the Saudi Pro League, propelling them to second place with 49 points after 20 games. In their most recent league outing, Al Nassr dispatched Al Ittihad 2-0, thanks to late strikes from Sadio Mane and Angelo Gabriel—despite the absence of their talismanic forward, Cristiano Ronaldo.
FK Arkadag, meanwhile, arrived at the Round of 16 after a more modest group stage campaign. The Turkmenistan side finished second in Group B, amassing seven points from one win, four draws, and a single loss. Their last group match saw them edge Al Khalidiyah 1-0, courtesy of a goal from Yazglyc Gurbanow. While Arkadag’s defensive resilience was evident, their attack was less prolific, scoring just five times and conceding six in the group phase. Still, their ability to grind out results earned them a well-deserved place in the knockout rounds.
The build-up to the match was dominated by speculation over Cristiano Ronaldo’s status. The Portuguese superstar had recently ended a high-profile dispute with Al Nassr, which saw him miss the last two Saudi Pro League fixtures in protest over the club’s transfer activity. According to Republic World, Ronaldo was not named in the match-day squad by manager Jorge Jesus, despite having resolved his issues with the club. The absence of their marquee player was undoubtedly a blow for Al Nassr, but the squad’s depth—featuring stars like Sadio Mane and Joao Felix—meant they still posed a formidable threat.
Kickoff was set for 7:15 p.m. local time in Ashgabat (8:45 a.m. ET in the United States, 7:15 p.m. IST in India), and fans tuned in worldwide via the AFC Hub YouTube channel, the OneFootball app, and Sony Sports India. The match was officiated by Ammar Ebrahim Hasan Mahfoodh, and both teams fielded their strongest available lineups, with Arkadag deploying Charyyev, Sapargulyyev, Saparov, Guychmyrat, Mammedow, Hydyrow, Mirza, Gurbanov, Ballakov, Durdyyew, and Hojayev from the start.
From the opening whistle, Al Nassr sought to assert their authority, controlling possession and probing Arkadag’s disciplined defensive lines. The Turkmen side, cheered on by a passionate home crowd, looked to frustrate their illustrious opponents and hit on the counter. Joao Felix and Sadio Mane were lively in attack, combining well and testing the Arkadag goalkeeper with a series of incisive runs and shots from distance.
Arkadag, for their part, showed flashes of attacking intent, with Gurbanov and Durdyyew leading sporadic breakaways. However, Al Nassr’s backline, marshaled by experienced defenders, dealt comfortably with most threats. The first half ended goalless, with both sides guilty of spurning half-chances and the tension in the stadium palpable.
The second half saw Al Nassr increase the tempo, determined to break the deadlock. Their persistence paid off as they finally found a way through Arkadag’s resistance. The crucial moment arrived in the final quarter of the match, though the official match reports did not specify the goalscorer. What mattered most to Al Nassr was the slender lead, which they jealously guarded as the clock ticked down.
Arkadag, desperate to salvage their continental dream, introduced Begench Akmamedov in the 84th minute in search of fresh impetus. Al Nassr responded with late substitutions of their own, bringing on Rakan Al Ghamdi and Mohammed Maran in the 90th and 91st minutes, respectively, to shore up their midfield and defense. The closing minutes were nervy, with Arkadag throwing men forward in a last-ditch bid for an equalizer, but Al Nassr’s organization and composure saw them through to the final whistle.
The final score: Arkadag 0 – 1 Al Nassr. It was a hard-fought victory for the Saudi side, who showed both patience and professionalism to book their place in the next round of the AFC Champions League Two. Despite the absence of Ronaldo, Al Nassr’s attacking depth and defensive solidity proved decisive.
After the match, the focus shifted to what lies ahead for both clubs. For Al Nassr, the win reinforced their credentials as one of the tournament favorites. Their perfect group stage record and ability to grind out results in testing conditions make them a formidable opponent for any side left in the competition. With the likes of Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, and Kingsley Coman in their ranks, and the potential return of Cristiano Ronaldo in future rounds, expectations are sky-high among fans and pundits alike.
For Arkadag, the defeat marked the end of a spirited campaign. The Turkmen club can hold their heads high, having matched one of Asia’s elite clubs for long stretches and earning valuable experience on the continental stage. Their journey through the group stage and into the knockouts has raised the profile of Turkmen football, and the lessons learned will serve them well in future competitions.
Looking ahead, Al Nassr will turn their attention to both domestic and continental challenges. With the Saudi Pro League title race heating up and the business end of the AFC Champions League Two fast approaching, manager Jorge Jesus will be keen to maintain his squad’s momentum and manage the fitness of key players. The situation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo will also be closely monitored, as his return could provide a significant boost in the latter stages of the tournament.
As the AFC Champions League Two knockout rounds continue, Al Nassr’s narrow win in Ashgabat stands as a testament to their resilience and ambition. Whether they can go all the way and lift the trophy remains to be seen, but for now, their fans can savor a gritty away victory and dream of greater glory ahead.