Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr began their Asian Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Persepolis of Iran in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, which was empty due to fan restrictions.
The win was secured after Milad Sarlak received a second yellow card and was sent off for stepping on Ronaldo’s foot during a midfield altercation, reducing the Iranian team to ten men.
Ten minutes later, Ronaldo assisted Marcelo Brozovic in breaking through Persepolis’ defense, leading to Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s goal from a deflected shot off Brozovic’s pass.
Mohammed Qassem extended Al-Nassr’s lead in the 72nd minute with a powerful shot from a tight angle on the left, securing the victory in the Group E encounter.
“It was a good game, even though the first half was a little bit difficult for both teams,” said Al-Nassr forward Sadio Mané.
“We played good in the second half, we created some chances and we scored two goals and I think we deserved to win tonight.”
The game took place at an empty Azadi Stadium as a ban imposed on Persepolis by the Asian Football Confederation two years ago was enforced. This ban deprived thousands of fans who have been following Ronaldo since his arrival in Tehran from attending the match.
Al-Nassr’s victory puts them at the top of their group, with a two-point lead over the Hernan Crespo-coached Al-Duhail. The Qatari club was held to a goalless draw by Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol in Dushanbe.