Staff Reporter.
Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a brace as Al-Nassr won 3-1 against Al-Gharafa in an AFC Champions League group stage fixture at the Al Bayt Stadium.
helped move Al Nassr to the brink of the last 16 in Asia’s premier continental club competition, needing just two points from their final three group games.
Only Al Shorta, who have two points with four games to play, can deny Ronaldo’s side a place in the next round, after Persepolis drew 1-1 at Al Rayyan.
Al Nassr captain Ronaldo had looked destined to endure a hugely frustrating game following a series of missed opportunities in the first half at Al Bayt Stadium.
However, the Portugal star finally opened the scoring little more than 50 seconds into the second half, when he headed home Sultan Al Ghannam’s cross from close range.
Al Nassr then doubled their advantage through Angelo Gabriel, a summer signing from Chelsea, on 58 minutes, before the Brazilian turned provider six minutes later to tee up Ronaldo for his second.
The goal took the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward to four goals in this season’s rebranded competition before he was replaced on 74 minutes.
Al Gharafa did pull one back through Joselu, a former teammate of Ronaldo at Madrid.
Yet their hopes of an unlikely late rally disappeared when Seydou Sano was sent off six minutes from the end of normal time for a second bookable offence.
The win ensures Al Nassr remain unbeaten through five matches in the Western side of the draw, and move second in the 12-team table.
The top eight in the standings go into the last 16 knockout stages along with the top eight from the 12-team East Zone table.