Al Nassr vs Al Duhail score, result, highlights as Cristiano Ronaldo hails 'special' AFC Champions League goals

Ben Miller

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Al Nassr vs Al Duhail score, result, highlights as Cristiano Ronaldo hails 'special' AFC Champions League goals image

Cristiano Ronaldo struck a scintillating double as Al Nassr extended their perfect record in this season's AFC Champions League to three matches with victory in a thriller at home to Qatar Stars League leaders Al Duhail at the King Saud University Stadium.

Portugal captain Ronaldo gave visiting goalkeeper Salah Zakaria little hope with a long-range finish into the far corner of the net from distance shortly after the hour mark, then expertly volleyed a second from a tight angle on a night that became unexpectedly nervy for the Saudi Pro League title challengers.

With a point from their first two group stage matches, Al Duhail sorely needed the momentum of a positive result and showed admirable tenacity to twice reduce the deficit to a goal, but Al Nassr are now on the brink of qualification.

Clinical efforts from Talisca in the first half and Sadio Mane during the second had put Al Nassr in control before Ronaldo made it 3-0, but Ismail Mohamad and Almoez Ali fired in within four minutes of each other to initially put their side within sight of an equaliser.

Al Nassr vs Al Duhail result

  1st half 2nd half Goal scorers
Al Nassr 1 3 Talisca (25), Mane (57), Ronaldo (61, 81)
Al Duhail 0 3 Ismail Mohamad (63), Almoez Ali (66), Michael Olunga (85)

Kenya striker Michael Olunga, who was denied a penalty by VAR following a challenge by goalkeeper Nawaf Alaqidi during the first half and had a goal ruled out for offside by a review after the break, curled in five minutes from the end of normal time to reply to Ronaldo's second in classy fashion and set up a tense finish.

Ronaldo had set up Talisca's opener, flicking a pass between his legs and across the penalty area to locate the Brazilian, who turned smartly to drill in precisely.

Al Nassr will be guaranteed a place in the round of 16 of the competition if they beat Al Duhail when the teams meet again on Nov 7, and even a draw would probably send them through with two matches to spare.

The winners of the competition will compete in the 2025 Club World Cup.

Ronaldo inspires Al Nassr in AFC Champions League

Al Nassr have not been in entirely convincing form recently, falling behind or conceding equalisers in three of their previous four games.

After drawing at home to Abha in their previous home game, including a 92nd-minute equaliser for the 15th-placed side, they needed second-half goals from Talisca and Ronaldo to recover from a goal down to beat 12th-placed Damac.

So when Talisca and Ronaldo combined for an inventive opening goal after a cagey opening 25 minutes here, there was not necessarily reason for Al Nassr to be overly confident – and so it proved as Olunga was denied a penalty that could have brought Al Duhail level and an equalising goal after the restart.

Fortunately for Al Nassr, the presence of Mane and Ronaldo up front meant their lead proved unassailable despite their opponents' comeback as part of a performance in which the home defence looked fragile at times.

Ronaldo appeared to point playfully to his left boot after his marvellous first goal, suggesting that it was some hit with a supposedly weaker foot.

The 38-year-old now has 14 goals and seven assists in all competitions for Al Nassr this season, and his steely grin and emphatic celebrations after each of his goals and the final whistle looked like the work of a striker enjoying himself as much as he did during his purple patch for Portugal during the recent Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Congratulating his club on its 68th birthday afterwards, Ronaldo said it had been a "special night in Riyadh", having navigated a flashpoint with marker Yousef Aymen following an aerial clash that left the striker momentarily incensed.

Al Nassr will be four points off the top of their domestic league when they visit eighth-placed Al Majma'ah on Saturday – a chance for Ronaldo to extend his record to goals in eight of his side's first 10 league fixtures this season.

The Sporting News followed the match live and provided updates and highlights.

MORE: Why Jordan Henderson's move to Saudi Arabia is so controversial

Starting lineups:

Al Nassr (4-5-1): Nawaf (GK) – Al-Ghanam, Alamri, Laporte, Qassem – Al Sulaiheem, Al-Khaibari, Otavio, Talisca, Mane – Ronaldo

Al Duhail (4-2-3-1): Zakaria (GK) – Al-Brake, Semedo, Aymen, Kim – Madibo, Boudiaf – Ali, Coutinho, Mohammed – Olunga

Al Nassr vs Al Duhail live updates, highlights, commentary

Fulltime: Al Nassr 4-3 Al Duhail

Al Nassr win a thriller with the help of two superb Cristiano Ronaldo goals! It was nervier at times than they might have liked, but the Saudi Pro League side, helped by goals from two of their marquee signings in Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, are now certain to reach the round of 16 if they avoid defeat in their closing match against Persepolis.

90 +3 mins: Al Nassr 4-3 Al Duhail

Not quite the end-to-end added time show that Al Duhail would like. Al Nassr look determined to see this out.

90 mins: Al Nassr 4-3 Al Duhail

There will be seven minutes of added time. Good news, considering how entertainingly chaotic this match has been, but not necessarily good news for Al Nassr.

88 mins: Al Nassr 4-3 Al Duhail

Two late bookings to report: Mohammed Musa and Michael Musa are both cautioned.

85 mins: GOAL – Al Nassr 4-3 Al Duhail (Michael Olunga)

Michael Olunga finally has the goal he will feel he deserves! The Kenya international collects the ball inside the penalty area on the right and swings a terrific finish into the far corner of the net.

Have Al Duhail got one more in them?

82 mins: Al Nassr 4-2 Al Duhail

Sultan Al-Ghannan swung a cross over from the right for that Cristiano Ronaldo strike.

The Portugal icon hit it sweetly on the volley, straight into the far corner in a display of masterful technique. He celebrates suitably strongly!

81 mins: GOAL – Al Nassr 4-2 Al Duhail (Cristiano Ronaldo)

A second goal as good as Cristiano Ronaldo's first!

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79 mins: Al Nassr 3-2 Al Duhail

Al Nassr remain on course to make it three wins out of three in this group stage campaign. Al Duhail will have one point from the same number of games if they can't score at least once in the next 11 minutes or so.

76 mins: Al Nassr 3-2 Al Duhail

Almoez Ali whistles down the left and wins a corner. Al Duhail can't create much from it.

73 mins: Al Nassr 3-2 Al Duhail

Cristiano Ronaldo has been quiet since that spectacular strike but now he performs a few hallmark stepovers and flings in a cross.

Both coaches are in their technical areas and raising their arms to encourage their players.

70 mins: Al Nassr 3-2 Al Duhail

Al Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Alaqidi is down and receives some attention. He's back up.

67 mins: Al Nassr 3-2 Al Duhail

Almoez Ali slams a shot in from close range after Philippe Coutinho’s shot is initially blocked. It takes a nick off a foot and flies in!

66 mins: GOAL – Al Nassr 3-2 Al Duhail (Almoez Ali)

Al Duhail are right back in it now!

64 mins: GOAL – Al Nassr 3-1 Al Duhail (Ismail Mohamad)

Ismail Mohamad didn't seem entirely aware that the ball was going to land at his feet from a cross, which perhaps make it all the more commendable that he steered in Al Duhail's first of the evening. A glimpse of a way back?

63 mins: GOAL – Al Nassr 3-1 Al Duhail (Ismail Mohamad)

Ismail Mohamad pulls a goal back from close range!

62 mins: Al Nassr 3-0 Al Duhail

That was a beauty of a strike even by Cristiano Ronaldo's standards, cutting inside from the right and swerving a glorious finish into the far corner of the net.

Unstoppable!

61 mins: GOAL – Al Nassr 3-0 Al Duhail (Cristiano Ronaldo)

Screamer!

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60 mins: Al Nassr 2-0 Al Duhail

Cristiano Ronaldo enters the penalty area on the left and has his low shot saved at the near post by Yousef Zakaria.

57 mins: Al Nassr 2-0 Al Duhail

That looked so easy for Sadio Mane. The striker collected a corner from the right, controlled it with his chest and drilled it into the far corner of the net.

It's a long way back now for Al Duhail.

56 mins: GOAL – Al Nassr 2-0 Al Duhail (Sadio Mane)

As you'd expect, Sadio Mane produces a clinical finish to put Al Nassr two ahead!

54 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

And the VAR check says... offside! It's not Michael Olunga's evening. Yet.

53 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

Michael Olunga bursts through on goal - as he did in the first half - and this time slots in an equaliser!

But almost inevitably, there's a VAR check.

50 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

Mohammed Qassem is down and in need of a little attention after being involved in a collision. Al  Nasr then try to attack down the left.

46 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

Former Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho was offering advice to his teammates as the players re-emerged for the second half. This feels like a make-or-break half in Al Duhail's campaign: they surely need at least a point.

Half-time: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

Eye-catchingly, Al Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Alaqidi drops to the turf and kisses it after the whistle blows following two minutes of added time.

Satisfactory for Al Nassr, who went ahead from Talisca's terrific finish from Cristiano Ronaldo's flick. But their opponents will be pleased with the number of chances they've had as they pursue their second point of the group stage.

45 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

Cristiano Ronaldo angrily gesticulates at his marker after an aerial challenge with Yousef Aymen. They're separated by a crowd of players, and no further action is taken.

43 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

Michael Olunga leaps like the proverbial to meet a cross from the right, looping his header over the crossbar.

40 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

Cristiano Ronaldo is fouled and looks considerably grumpier than he did earlier in this half – as well he might, Al Duhail having threatened to come back into this game.

37 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

Al Nassr have shaded possession, keeping 56% of the ball. Their passing has been more accurate, finding an opponent 91% of the time.

34 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

Best chance Al Duhail have had so far! Assim Madibo breaks through and is denied by an excellent Salah Zakaria save at his near post.

31 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

The check decides there will be no penalty! Perhaps a little unfortunate for Michael Olunga and Al Duhail. There again, the replay angle wasn't enormously clear. The lines were drawn and may have adjudged the speedy forward to have been offside.

30 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

That VAR check is continuing. Christophe Gaultier, the Al Nassr manager, sits in his yellow and blue seat and waits.

29 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

Penalty (possibly) to Al Duhail!

Kenya striker Michael Olunga bursts through, enters the penalty area and looks to be felled by Nawaf Al-Aqidi's challenge as the goalkeeper dives at his feet!

Nawaf goes down in a heap. A VAR check is called.

28 mins: Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail

Al Duhail don't look unduly perturbed by going behind, almost immediately entering and testing goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi.

26 mins: GOAL – Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail (Talisca)

This match had been bubbling up with attacks from both sides, and now Talisca makes the breakthrough with the kind of finish you'd readily associate with a Brazilian striker!

Al Nassr's press pays off, Cristiano Ronaldo flicks the ball through his legs across the penalty area and Talisca turns in front of his marker and pings a low shot into the far corner of the net. Expert finish!

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25 mins: GOAL – Al Nassr 1-0 Al Duhail (Talisca)

An excellent move and strike puts Al Nassr ahead!

24 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Duhail

A promising spell of pressure for Al Nassr, who sends crosses in to the Al Duhail penalty area but can't produce a shot on goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo sprints to close down goalkeeper Salah Zakaria as Al Duhail play passes around at the back.

23 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Duhail

Al Nassr foray down the left but can't create any huge danger.

There's a large drum visible in front of the flank of home fans behind the visitors' goal.

20 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Duhail

Encouraging for Al Duhail: the Emirati club win a corner on the right and flash crosses from either side of the pitch across the face of Al Nassr's goal. The flag is up after the latter one, though.

17 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Duhail

In the absence of a great deal of action, let's take a look at how the entrance to the pitch looked earlier!

14 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Duhail

A patchy encounter so far, with neither side sending in a shot on target yet.

Al Duhail have mounted attacks on both flanks during the last two minutes, while Al Nassr have tried and failed to counter-attack effectively.

11 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Duhail

A first half-chance for Cristiano Ronaldo, who tries to reach a diagonal ball from the right at the near post but can only poke it wide from a difficult angle.

The Portugal skipper turns, grins and applauds.

8 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Duhail

Al Nassr's Sultan Al-Ghannam takes a tumble and adds several rolls by the right-hand byline after having his foot stamped on while going for the ball with Almoez Ali.

The Al Duhail captain is cautioned.

5 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Duhail

It's been a quiet opening to this game, with Al Nassr enjoying most of the possession. There's a decent amount of noise from what looks like a fairly packed house.

2 mins: Al Nassr 0-0 Al Duhail

Al Nassr, in familiar yellow shirts and blue shorts, have started the action and kept the ball patiently for most of the first two minutes.

10 mins to kickoff: The warm-ups are over. It's almost time for Al Nassr and Al Duhail to return to AFC Champions League action!

30 mins to kickoff: Al Nassr have called the King Saud University Stadium home since 2020.

The 25,000-capacity setting opened in 2015 and has also hosted WWE events.

50 mins to kickoff: Here's how the visitors start! It would be an upset if Al Duhail won tonight, but they certainly have the talent within their ranks to spring a surprise and close the gap on Al Nassr to two points.

1 hour 10 mins to kickoff: Al Duhail have taken an early look around.

They're currently two points clear at the top of the Qatar Stars League after winning five and losing one of their opening six games – but they've taken a solitary point from their first two games in the Champions League.

1 hour 20 mins to kickoff: Team news! Here's how Al Nassr start, with Cristiano Ronaldo wearing the armband.

1 hour 40 mins to kickoff: Al Nassr beat Dubai club Shabab Al Ahli Club 4-2 in a play-off to reach this stage of the AFC Champions League, scoring two of their goals in the 95th and 97th minutes.

More drama tonight?

2 hours to kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of today's AFC Champions League group stage match between Al Nassr and Al Duhail. We'll have build-up, team news and coverage coming up as the Saudi Pro League hosts target a third win and a continuation of their perfect start to the competition against visitors in need of a positive result.

Al Nassr vs Al Duhail lineups

Marcelo Brozovic missed out for Al Nassr. The Croatian picked up a knock over the international break, and he was sorely missed as Seko Fofana struggled to fill his shoes over the weekend against Damac.

Nawaf Al-Aqidi returned from a shoulder issue. David Ospina has been missing since March with an elbow injury and he remains out, likely until 2024.

Al Nassr starting lineup (4-5-1): Nawaf(GK) – Al-Ghanam, Alamri, Laporte, Qassem – Al Sulaiheem, Al-Khaibari, Otavio, Talisca, Mane – Ronaldo

Al Duhail's most recognisable player is former Liverpool and Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho, who joined the club on loan this past summer from Aston Villa.

The club also employs one of the most iconic Qatari players, as forward Almoez Ali captain's the national team and has 39 caps in 82 appearances by the age of 27.

Al Duhail starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Zakaria(GK) – Al-Brake, Semedo, Aymen, Kim – Madibo, Boudiaf – Ali, Coutinho, Mohammed – Olunga

Al Nassr vs Al Duhail live stream, TV channel

MORE: Watch Premier League matches live with Fubo in USA | Watch EPL in Canada

  TV channel Streaming
USA  — Paramount+
UK  —  —
Australia  — Paramount+
Canada  —  —
India  — FanCode
New Zealand  —  —
Malaysia  —  —
Singapore  — meWATCH
Hong Kong  —  —

USA: Broadcast rights for the AFC Champions League in the United States are owned by CBS. All matches will be shown on streaming service Paramount+ while some select matches may also be viewed on CBS Sports Golazo Network, which is a free-to-air streaming service.

While there's no indication of this as of now, it's also possible that CBS decides later in the competition to televise matches on CBS or CBS Sports Network. Any matches televised on either of those two channels would be available to stream on Fubo.

Australia: Fans in Australia can watch AFC Champions League matches on streaming service Paramount+ with no television partner yet picked up.

According to the official AFC broadcast list, countries that are without broadcast partners as of yet include United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand among others.

Ben Miller

Ben Miller Photo

Ben Miller has been writing about sport for 25 years, following all levels of football as well as boxing, MMA, athletics and tennis. He’s seen five promotions, three relegations, one World Cup winner and home games in at least three different stadiums as a result of his lifelong devotion to Brighton & Hove Albion. His main aim each week is to cover at least one game or event that does not require a last-minute rewrite.