Al-Nassr easily secured a spot in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo shared in the celebrations and moved one step closer to a thousand goals.
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Al-Nassr advanced comfortably to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League with a dominant 4-1 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos, further asserting the strength of Saudi Arabian football on the continental stage.
While the match was officially listed as an away fixture for Al-Nassr, the team enjoyed the advantage of playing on familiar ground in Saudi Arabia. This is due to the tournament-style conclusion of the AFC Champions League, with all remaining matches being held in Saudi Arabia. This centralized format has turned the latter stages of the competition into a high-stakes, fast-paced showdown, with the semi-finals scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, and the grand finale set for Saturday. Al-Nassr, led by global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, continues to pursue its ambition of lifting the prestigious trophy, keeping alive the dream of adding another major title to the club’s history.
The match itself quickly showcased Al-Nassr’s superiority. Despite Yokohama F. Marinos being one of Japan’s historically strong teams, they are currently languishing at the bottom of the J-League standings, and it showed. From the opening whistle, Al-Nassr dictated the pace, pressed high, and looked far more dangerous in possession. The Saudi side wasted no time asserting their authority, with Colombian forward Jhon Duran opening the scoring. His sharp movement and clinical finish set the tone for what would be a difficult evening for Yokohama.
Shortly after, Senegalese winger Sadio Mané doubled the lead, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to coolly slot the ball past the goalkeeper. Mané, who has been in excellent form since joining Al-Nassr, once again demonstrated why he remains one of the most feared attackers in Asian football.
Then came a moment of history, as Cristiano Ronaldo found the back of the net to make it 3-0 before halftime. The goal, a classic Ronaldo finish, marked the 934th of his illustrious career, bringing him tantalizingly close to the mythical 1,000-goal mark. At 39 years old, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to score at an impressive rate and leading by example both on and off the pitch.
Yokohama, already under immense pressure, made a bold move at the start of the second half by making three substitutions in a bid to shift the momentum. However, Al-Nassr remained unfazed, continuing to control the midfield and create chances. Jhon Duran struck again, netting his second goal of the evening, effectively sealing the result and extinguishing any hopes Yokohama had of mounting a comeback.
Kota Watanabe managed to pull one back for the Japanese side, scoring a consolation goal that did little to change the course of the match. The intensity of Al-Nassr’s performance was such that even with Ronaldo being substituted in the 67th minute, the team maintained its dominance until the final whistle.
The victory not only highlighted Al-Nassr’s attacking prowess but also underscored the growing influence of Saudi clubs in Asian football. The win was a statement of intent from a team determined to go all the way, especially with the backing of home fans and the motivation of achieving continental glory.
The semi-final awaits, with Al-Nassr set to face either Kawasaki Frontale of Japan or Al-Sadd of Qatar, who will play their quarter-final clash on Sunday. Like the quarter-finals, the semi-final will be a one-off match, adding to the pressure and excitement of the competition. With Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli also progressing in the tournament, Saudi Arabia could very well see an all-Saudi final, further emphasizing the country’s recent dominance in the AFC Champions League.
For Ronaldo, this tournament represents yet another opportunity to add silverware to his vast collection, while continuing to break records along the way. His quest for 1,000 goals is drawing global attention, and each match adds to the narrative of a career that has already etched itself into football history.
As Al-Nassr look ahead to the next challenge, the belief within the squad and among the supporters is stronger than ever. The dream of lifting the AFC Champions League trophy is now just two wins away, and with the form they’ve shown, few would bet against them achieving it.
Updated: 11:53, 26 Apr 2025
