JEDDAH — Al Nassr Club stormed into the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2025 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Jhon Duran starred with a brace while Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane added a goal each, setting up a last-four showdown against either Kawasaki Frontale or Al Sadd SC on Wednesday.
After a quiet opening, Al Nassr sparked into life midway through the first half. Marcelo Brozovic tested Park Il-gyu early, but the breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Sadio Mane’s cross caused chaos, with Thomas Deng's miskick hitting the post before Duran pounced on the rebound to open the scoring. The Saudi side doubled their advantage four minutes later. A surging run by Otavio created space, and Mane finished calmly to make it 2-0.
Al Nassr continued their dominance, and Ronaldo smashed home a rebound in the 38th minute after Brozovic’s deflected shot was parried away by Park, taking Ronaldo’s tally to eight goals for the campaign. Marinos head coach Patrick Kisnorbo made attacking changes at halftime, but Al Nassr struck again just three minutes into the second half. Ali Hassan’s curling shot was palmed away by Park, only for Duran to react quickest and slot home his second of the night.
Yokohama pulled one back in the 53rd minute when Anderson Lopes teed up Kouta Watanabe to fire past Bento Krepski. However, any hopes of a comeback faded when Watanabe was sent off in the 73rd minute for a second yellow card after a foul on Aiman Yahya. Al Nassr comfortably managed the closing stages to secure their spot in the semi-finals.
With this victory, Al Nassr not only showcased their attacking prowess but also demonstrated their resilience and tactical adaptability. The team's performance was a testament to their preparation and determination, as they look forward to the semi-finals with confidence.
As the players celebrated on the pitch, Duran, who was undoubtedly the star of the match, expressed his delight, stating, "I’m really happy to help the team progress to the next round. We played well and showed our quality today." Ronaldo, ever the competitor, added, "We have a strong team, and we believe we can go all the way in this tournament. Every match is crucial, and we need to keep this momentum going."
Looking ahead, Al Nassr will face either Kawasaki Frontale or Al Sadd SC, both formidable opponents in their own right. The upcoming match promises to be an exciting encounter, with Al Nassr aiming to continue their impressive run in the tournament.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the next clash, and with the way Al Nassr has been playing, they have every reason to be excited. The team has shown they can perform on the big stage, and with stars like Duran, Ronaldo, and Mane leading the charge, they are a force to be reckoned with.
In the world of football, every match tells a story, and this one was no different. From the thrilling goals to the dramatic moments, Al Nassr's journey through the AFC Champions League is shaping up to be a memorable one. As they prepare for the semi-finals, the team and its supporters are filled with hope and anticipation for what lies ahead.
