Cristiano Ronaldo nets spectacular brace as Al Nassr beat Al Duhail in seven-goal thriller

Sadio Mane also on target as SPL side extend perfect start to AFC Champions League group

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Al Nassr during the Asian Champions League Group E football match against Al Duhail at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on October 24, 2023. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammate Abdullah Al Khaibari after scoring for Al Nassr against Al Duhail. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo on the ball under pressure from Duhail midfielder Assim Madibo. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo gets set to shoot during Al Nassr's match against Al Duhail. AFP

Al Nassr forward Talisca celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring the opening goal against Al Duhail. AFP

Otavio and Cristiano Ronaldo during the Asian Champions League match between Al Nassr and Al Duhail. AFP

Duhail forward Michael Olunga celebrates after scoring a goal during the Asian Champions League match against Al Nassr. AFP

Sadio Mane celebrates with Abdulmajeed Al Sulayhem after scoring Al Nassr's second goal. AFP

Duhail defender Yousef Aymen attempts to block a cross from Al Nassr forward Sadio Mane. AFP

Al Nassr forward Talisca celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Al Duhail. AFP

Talisca with Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring Al Nassr's first goal against Al Duhail. AFP

Al Nassr midfielder Otavio in action against Al Duhail defenders Ruben Semedo and Sultan Al Brake. AFP

Al Nassro forward Sadio Mane takes on Al Duhail defender Yousef Aymen. AFP

Al Nassr forward Talisca takes on Al Duhail defender Yousef Aymen. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two magnificent goals to fire Al Nassr to an entertaining 4-3 win over Qatari side Al Duhail in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday night.

The Portugal star fired home a spectacular long-range effort with his left foot to give his side a 3-0 lead around the hour mark. He then added a fourth with a precise volley to ease his Nassr's nerves after the Qataris had pulled two goals back in quick succession.

The victory cemented the Saudi Pro League side's position at the head of Group E, giving them a perfect nine points after three wins from three.

It also extended Al Nassr's fine run of form, with the Riyadh club unbeaten in 13 since late August, winning 12 of those games.

Star player Ronaldo has also been in excellent form and this brace follows his stunning free-kick in the 2-1 league win over Damac at the weekend.

Talisca gave Al Nassr a 25th minute lead before Senegal's former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane doubled the advantage early in the second half.

Ronaldo's 25-yard strike made it three but Al Duhail hit back through Ismaeel Mohammad and Almoez Ali.

The 38-year-old Ronaldo steered a volley across the keeper to make it 4-2 but Michael Olunga narrowed the gap once again.

Elsewhere, Al Ain continued their 100 per cent start as they cruised to a 4-1 win over Saudi Arabia’s Al Fahya.

A third win from as many games opened up a six-point lead at the top of Group A for Alfred Schreuder’s side and saw them put one foot in the Round of 16.

Kouame Kouaido put the UAE team in front before a brace from Kaku effectively banked the points.

Nawaf Al Harthi capitalised on a late error by Khalid Eisa to claim a consolation for Al Fayha before Soufiane Rahimi put the seal on the result for the hosts.