Football fans across the globe are glued to their screens as Al-Nassr, led by the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, hosts FK Arkadag at Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh for the second leg of the AFC Champions League Two round of 16. The stakes are sky-high on this Wednesday evening, February 18, 2026, with kick-off at 6:15 p.m. GMT (11:45 p.m. IST). Al-Nassr entered this crucial fixture holding a slim 1-0 aggregate lead after a hard-fought victory in Turkmenistan last week, but the drama is far from over.
Heading into tonight’s clash, fans and pundits alike buzzed with anticipation over whether Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, would feature after missing the first leg and recently returning to action in the Saudi Pro League. The Portuguese superstar’s absence in continental play had been the talk of the town, especially after his well-publicized dispute with club management over winter transfer policies. According to manager Jorge Jesus, “Cristiano’s age is different from the rest of the squad, and he has made a big effort in the previous matches. We will decide whether he will participate or not after today’s training session.” As kickoff approached, Ronaldo was spotted in training, but his inclusion remained a closely guarded secret.
Al-Nassr’s recent form has been nothing short of electric. The Saudi giants have rattled off eight consecutive wins across all competitions since a setback against Al Hilal, with their latest triumph a 2-0 victory over Al Fateh, where Ronaldo and Ayman Yahya found the net. Joao Felix, another marquee name in the squad, has been on fire this season, tallying 13 goals and seven assists in 21 Saudi Pro League appearances. This depth of attacking talent has given Jorge Jesus a welcome headache, especially with European stars like Kingsley Coman and Angelo Gabriel also in the mix.
The match started with a bang for the home crowd. Barely two minutes had ticked off the clock when Abdulrahman Ghareeb latched onto a precise cross from Nawaf Boushal and slotted home the opener, sending the stadium into raptures. That goal not only put Al-Nassr 1-0 up on the night but also extended their aggregate advantage to 2-0, putting one foot firmly in the quarterfinals. By the half-hour mark, Al-Nassr had dominated possession, registering three shots—two on target—while Arkadag had yet to muster a single attempt.
For FK Arkadag, this encounter marks the biggest challenge in their young history. Founded in April 2023, the Turkmenistani outfit has achieved a remarkable feat: they have never lost a domestic league match, racking up 82 consecutive wins. Their fairytale run in the AFC Champions League Two saw them win one, draw four, and lose just one in the group stage, earning a historic place in the knockouts. Yet, facing a star-studded Al-Nassr on their own turf is a different beast entirely.
Arkadag’s starting XI, featuring Rasul Caryyev in goal and captain Abdy Byashimov marshalling the midfield, has shown resilience but struggled to cope with the relentless Saudi attack. By halftime, the visitors had yet to register a shot, and Al-Nassr’s control of the midfield was absolute. The Saudi side’s tactical discipline and fluidity, with Ali Al Hassan anchoring and Ayman Yahya providing leadership as captain, kept Arkadag pinned back and searching for answers.
On the bench for Al-Nassr, fans saw an embarrassment of riches: Bento, Sultan Al-Ghannam, Marcelo Brozovic, Kingsley Coman, Joao Felix, and even Sadio Mane, all ready to make an impact if called upon. The depth of the squad allowed Jorge Jesus to rotate and rest key players, especially with the domestic league campaign heating up. According to reports from Riyadh, the manager was keen to preserve Ronaldo for league matches, with Joao Felix and Angelo Gabriel expected to shoulder the attacking responsibilities in continental play.
The live broadcast of this high-stakes encounter has reached fans worldwide through a variety of channels. In the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Spain, the match is available on YouTube. In India, it’s streaming live on the FanCode app and website, while viewers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE can tune into beIN Sports HD 2, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, or TOD. For those in Mexico, ESPN Mexico and Disney+ Premium Mexico are carrying the action, and Nigerian fans can catch it on the StarTimes App and Sporty TV.
As the second half gets underway, Al-Nassr maintains their 1-0 lead on the night and 2-0 on aggregate. The home side looks comfortable, but in football, nothing is ever certain until the final whistle. Can Arkadag mount a miraculous comeback and keep their continental dream alive, or will Al-Nassr’s experience and firepower prove too much?
Meanwhile, the broader tournament picture is taking shape. Al Wasl and Al Hussein have already booked their spots in the quarterfinals, with the rest of the field to be decided in the coming days. Al-Nassr’s fans are daring to dream of a deep run, especially with their team in such blistering form and boasting a squad packed with international pedigree.
Tonight’s match is more than just a football contest; it’s a showcase of ambition, resilience, and the global reach of the beautiful game. Whether or not Ronaldo takes the field, his influence looms large, and the team’s collective strength has carried them to the brink of the quarterfinals. For Arkadag, this is a chance to test themselves against some of the best and continue their remarkable journey from domestic dominance to continental competition.
As the action continues in Riyadh, one thing is clear: Al-Nassr is in the driver’s seat, but with 45 minutes still to play, the drama isn’t over yet. Fans around the world will be watching every pass, tackle, and shot as these two teams battle for a place in the next round of the AFC Champions League Two.
With the aggregate score at 2-0 and Al-Nassr looking strong, the Saudi side is on the verge of advancing, but Arkadag’s fighting spirit cannot be discounted. The final whistle will tell the tale, but for now, the excitement and uncertainty of knockout football reign supreme at Al-Awwal Park.