JAKARTA Cristiano Ronaldo responded after his team secured a dramatic victory over Shabab Al-Ahli in the playoffs to qualify for the Asian Champions League.
Al Nassr memastikan diri lolos ke Liga Champions Asia setelah mencetak dua gol di menit tamu tambahan waktu untuk mengamankan kemenangan 4-2 KSU Football Field, Riyadh, Rabu, 23 Agustus 2023 dini hari.
"It's a tough game, but a win is important to qualify for the Asian Champions League. I believe until the end! Never give up," Ronaldo wrote in an upload on Instagram.
Al Nassr actually took the lead in the eleventh minute thanks to a goal scored by Talisca. However, Yahya Al-Ghassani's two goals after that (in the 18' and 46' minutes) had reduced Al Nassr's hopes.
Luckily Al Nassr managed to score three goals in 10 minutes to make a dramatic comeback. In fact, their fate was only two minutes away to be eliminated from the competition.
Al Nassr took the lead after Taslica headed the ball from Brozovic's corner. Ghassani then equalized seven minutes later
Ronaldo, 38, left the pitch in the first half frustrated and was seen arguing with the referee. The Portuguese star believes he should have had two penalties in the first half.
Then one minute after halftime Al Ghassani ran past the Nassr defense before tearing the ball past Nawaf Al Aqidi and bringing Shabab Al Expert ahead.
However, Nassr equalized with the remaining two minutes of normal time. This goal was scored through a header by wing-back Sultan Al Ghannam which was deflected into his own net by Walid Abbas.
The rise of Nassr is even more perfect five minutes into extra time. Talisca scored his second goal in this match from a very close range.
Moments later, as Shabab Al Expert chased the equalizer, Ronaldo provided Brozovic with a pass to score his shot into the net and ensure victory.
This result makes Nassr, runner-up in last season's league competition, advance to the group stage which will start next month. Ronaldo, who has won the European Champions League five times, will make his debut in the top club competition for Asian football.
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