Al-Nassr comfortably defeated Esteghlal 3-0 to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League. Jhon Duran was the star of the night, scoring two goals, with Cristiano Ronaldo contributing another, showcasing the Saudi Arabian club's dominance on the field.
The match, held on March 10, 2025, at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, marked Al-Nassr's advancement with a decisive 3-0 aggregate victory. This result was particularly important for the team, who look to clinch their first continental title.
Al-Nassr started strong with Duran opening the scoring early in the match. The young striker capitalized on a mistake by Esteghlal's goalkeeper, Seyed Hosseini, who misplayed a pass, allowing Duran to calmly lob the ball over him. The goal came just nine minutes after the kick-off, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
The visitors tried to respond but were quickly thwarted by Al-Nassr's defensive solidity. Al-Nassr controlled the game, pushing forward and creating more chances. Ronaldo, who missed the first leg due to rest, made his presence felt as he led the attack alongside Duran and Sadio Mane.
Al-Nassr doubled their lead when Mane was fouled inside the penalty area by Mohammad Niknafs shortly before the 30-minute mark. Ronaldo, stepping up to take the penalty, converted it with precision, scoring his seventh goal of the tournament. His penalty was coolly executed, hitting the center of the net and putting Esteghlal under significant pressure.
Things went from bad to worse for Esteghlal when Mehran Ahmadi received his second yellow card for fouling Mohammed Al-Fatil just before halftime, leaving the Iranian team down to ten men.
After the break, Al-Nassr maintained their pressure, continuing to create chances. Duran was particularly active; he had shots saved and even thumped the crossbar early in the second half. The team's persistence paid off when Duran found the net again late in the match. Six minutes from the whistle, he received the ball from Angelo and fired it low to the bottom left corner, sealing the 3-0 win.
Al-Nassr’s overall performance highlighted their ambition, reflecting their desire to make this season count. The team’s expected goals (xG) tallied at 2.53 from 22 shots, starkly contrasting with Esteghlal's meager 0.06 from three attempts, underscoring Al-Nassr's offensive superiority.
Ronaldo not only scored but also engaged actively throughout the match, registering the most shots on target and touches inside the opposition box among his teammates. This impressive display marked the end of his goal drought against Iranian teams, making this match especially significant for the veteran striker.
This victory also secured Al-Nassr's fifth clean sheet out of ten matches during this season's AFC Champions League campaign. They remain among the best defensively, only behind Yokohama F. Marinos, who have seven shutouts this season. The strength showcased by Al-Nassr's defense will undoubtedly be pivotal as they progress through the tournament.
Looking forward, Al-Nassr will learn their quarter-final opponents following the draw, scheduled right after their match. The anticipation around this potential matchup is palpable, and the team’s fans are hopeful for continued success. With Duran and Ronaldo leading the charge, Al-Nassr is set on their quest for greater achievements.
Overall, this performance not only demonstrated Al-Nassr’s footballing prowess but also provided them with the momentum needed for their upcoming challenges. The team is eyeing more than just advancement; they aspire for glory, which they believe this season is finally within reach.