In a stunning display of skill and determination, Cristiano Ronaldo led Al Nassr to a commanding 4-1 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League on April 26, 2025. The match, held at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, showcased Ronaldo's exceptional talent as he scored one of the four goals that propelled his team into the semifinals.
Al Nassr entered the match with high hopes, eager to secure their first trophy in Saudi Arabia, and they didn’t disappoint. The Saudi side dominated from the start, creating multiple scoring opportunities that left Yokohama struggling to keep up. Jhon Duran opened the scoring in the 27th minute, capitalizing on a rebound inside the penalty area after a flurry of Al Nassr attacks. Just four minutes later, Sadio Mané doubled the lead with a precise strike to the near post, leaving the Japanese side reeling.
Ronaldo’s moment came in the 38th minute. After Marcelo Brozovic unleashed a powerful shot that was saved by Yokohama's goalkeeper Park Il-Kyu, the rebound fell perfectly for Ronaldo, who calmly slotted the ball into the net, extending Al Nassr's lead to 3-0. The celebration that followed was reminiscent of his glory days at Real Madrid, as he ran to the advertising boards and mimicked his iconic celebration from the 2017 UEFA Champions League semifinal against Atlético Madrid.
After halftime, Duran struck again just three minutes in, making it 4-0 for Al Nassr. However, Yokohama managed to pull one back through Kota Watanabe, who scored in the 58th minute. Unfortunately for the Japanese side, Watanabe’s joy was short-lived as he received a second yellow card midway through the half, leaving his team to finish the match with ten men.
This victory is significant for Al Nassr, marking their third time reaching the semifinals of the AFC Champions League, previously achieving this feat in 2020 and 2021. Ronaldo's goal against Yokohama brought his tally to 33 goals in 37 appearances for the club this season, moving him closer to the historic milestone of 1,000 career goals. Currently, he sits at 934 official goals, just 66 away from this remarkable achievement.
Ronaldo’s performance in this tournament has been nothing short of spectacular, as he has now scored seven goals in his last five AFC Champions League matches, the longest scoring streak in the competition for him. Only Abderrazak Hamdallah has had a longer scoring streak for Al Nassr, netting in eight consecutive matches between 2019 and 2020.
As Al Nassr prepares for the semifinals, they are expected to face either Kawasaki Frontale or Al Sadd, both formidable opponents in their own right. With the Saudi Pro League title slipping further away—currently sitting third and trailing leaders Al Ittihad by eight points—the AFC Champions League has become a crucial opportunity for Ronaldo and his teammates to secure silverware this season.
The match against Yokohama was not just about the scoreline; it was a testament to Al Nassr's ambition and Ronaldo's relentless pursuit of excellence. The team has shown remarkable resilience, bouncing back from a recent 3-2 comeback win over Damac in the Saudi Pro League, and their confidence is soaring as they eye continental glory.
Yokohama F. Marinos, despite their struggles in the domestic league, where they currently sit at the bottom of the J1 League table, had previously impressed in the Champions League, topping their group and defeating Shanghai Port 5-1 on aggregate in the round of 16. However, they were unable to replicate that form against a determined Al Nassr side.
Looking ahead, the focus for Al Nassr will be on maintaining their momentum as they advance in the tournament. With Ronaldo leading the charge, fans are hopeful that the club can finally clinch a major title and etch their name in the annals of Asian football history.
As the semifinals approach, the anticipation builds. Can Al Nassr capitalize on this victory and continue their pursuit of the AFC Champions League trophy? Only time will tell, but with Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks, anything seems possible.
