On March 10, 2025, Al-Nasr, the Saudi Arabian football club, triumphed over Tehran's Esteghlal by 3-0, propelling them to the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League. This victory came during the second leg of the 1/8 finals, which was held at Al-Nasr's home ground. The match follows the first leg, which ended with no goals scored. This time around, the team, led by their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, showcased their formidable talent and determination to advance.
Al-Nasr came out strong right from the start of the match. The 21-year-old Colombian forward, Dzhon Duran, opened the scoring just nine minutes after kickoff, putting Al-Nasr up 1-0. Duran's dynamic play was evident, and he quickly established himself as one of the key players during this match.
Ronaldo, who had missed the first game due to injury, made his presence felt significantly. At the 27th minute, he scored from the penalty spot, marking his 927th career goal and extending Al-Nasr's lead to 2-0. His accomplishment adds to his impressive record of having converted 173 out of 204 penalties throughout his career. The tension escalated for Esteghlal when their goalkeeper, Ahmadi, received his second yellow card and was sent off just before the halftime whistle, leaving the visitors at a disadvantage.
After the break, tensions on the pitch remained high, but Duran was not finished yet. He solidified his excellent performance by scoring his second goal of the match at the 84th minute, bringing the final score to 3-0. With this victory, Al-Nasr not only clinched the match but also secured their place in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
The team displayed remarkable teamwork and spirit, overcoming the challenges posed by their opponents. The win served as a significant morale booster not only for the players but for the fans as well, who cheered passionately throughout the game.
Ronaldo, reflecting on the game, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance and unity, remarking on how they responded under pressure. He noted, "It was important for us to come together and show our strength as a team today. Winning this match gives us momentum going forward."
The match solidified Al-Nasr's reputation as one of the prominent teams in Asian football. Their next challenge will be keeping up this momentum as they prepare for the quarter-finals of the competition.