SportsNews
Back in form! Ronaldo scores as Al-Nassr clinch Asian Champions League win
- Cristiano Ronaldo brought his mini-goal drought to a halt as Al-Nassr steamrolled past Al Ain in the AFC Champions League
- Single strikes from Wesley and the Portuguese phenom, an own goal from Fabio Cardoso and a brace from Anderson Talisca sealed a 5-1 win
- The comprehensive victory maintains Al-Nassr’s unbeaten run in the Asian equivalent of the UEFA Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo ended his three-game goal drought in style, leading Al-Nassr to a commanding win over Al Ain in the AFC Champions League.
The 5-1 victory carried a sense of redemption as Al-Nassr avenged last season’s heartbreaking semi-final loss to the Emirati side.
Ronaldo fires Al-Nassr to a thumping win
Desperate to halt a frustrating three-match winless streak, the Knights of Najd were quick to seize control.
Within five minutes of play, the home side set the tone, and it was former RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan who sparked the attack, surging through Al Ain’s midfield before finding Anderson Talisca.
According to Goal, Talisca, in top form during Ronaldo’s scoring lull, capitalised with a composed finish, giving Al-Nassr an early lead that thrilled coach Stefano Pioli.
Ronaldo’s goal spurs eventual victory
Building on this momentum, Al-Nassr pressed for more, and by the half-hour mark, their persistence paid off.
Ronaldo showcased his instincts by reacting first to a fierce shot that Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa parried into his path, allowing the Portuguese forward to finish with ease.
Just six minutes later, Al-Nassr struck again with a quick one-two exchange between Wesley and Sadio Mane.
Wesley’s powerful strike deflected off an Al Ain defender, adding a touch of fortune to Al-Nassr’s already dominant lead.
Though Al Ain struggled to keep up, they managed a consolation goal courtesy of a Bento own goal, giving them a glimmer of pride amid Al-Nassr’s offensive onslaught.
Despite Al Ain’s attempts to rally in the closing stages, it was Brazilian pair Wesley and Talisca who capped off the night with an 81st-minute strike and a stoppage-time goal, securing a comprehensive 5-1 victory for Al-Nassr, per Daily Sports.
Ronaldo’s 1st penalty miss in Saudi costs Al-Nassr
In an earlier publication, Ekwutosblog reported that Cristiano Ronaldo played a central role in Al-Nassr’s exit from the Saudi King’s Cup.
The 39-year-old missed a last-minute penalty, resulting in a narrow loss to Al Taawoun, which ended the Knights of Najd’s cup run.
Ronaldo develops new way of dealing with ‘Messi’ chants
In an earlier report, Ekwutosblog shared that Cristiano Ronaldo faced taunts from opposing fans attempting to provoke him during the Riyadh Derby on November 1.
Known for enduring chants of “Messi” from rival fans, the 39-year-old seems to have developed a more composed response to these provocations, demonstrating a mature approach to handling the gestures.
Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina will be sidelined for three months with a hamstring injury, Ekwutosblog reports.
Aina sustained the injury on international duty with Nigeria this week.
The 27-year-old was replaced in the 10th minute of Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa on Tuesday.
According to the Telegraph, the versatile full-back is not expected to return to action until the end of the year.
Aina’s long-term injury will be a big blow for new Forest manager Ange Postecoglou, who is hoping to make an instant impact at the club.
Forest will be away to Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday.
Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has said only Arsenal can challenge Liverpool in the Premier League title race this season.
The Reds are the only team with a perfect record after three games so far.
Before the current campaign kicked off, Ferdinand said only Liverpool and Manchester City would be in the running to emerge champions.
But he has now replaced City with Arsenal.
Arsenal began the season with wins over Manchester United and Leeds United before losing 1-0 to Liverpool before the international break.
Manchester City have however lost two of their three opening matches.
“I think the only team who will be anywhere near Liverpool this season is Arsenal,” Ferdinand told MailSport.
“They’ve got a great squad, real good depth with who they’ve bought.
“I don’t think we’ll see anyone else. Anyone you think might be a surprise, a Newcastle or a Chelsea, I think European football hinders them a little bit in that respect. Just the demands it puts on the squad.”
Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has claimed that Arsenal have the strongest squad in the Premier League.
The Gunners spent over £250m on eight new players this summer, as they seek to finally go one step better and win the title.
Viktor Gyokeres was the headline transfer, as Mikel Arteta finally brought in an out-and-out striker.
Arteta also added Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie.
“The club again, the owners, the hierarchies have gone out again and massively backed Mikel Arteta,” Mikel Obi said on The Obi One Podcast.
“They have the strongest squad in the Premier League them and Liverpool.
“In terms of depth, Arsenal has the strongest, two players in every position.”
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