22/10/2024 12:22 am Updated on 22/10/2024 6:30 pm
Al Nassr Cristiano Ronaldo had to travel to Dubai to face Esteghlal for the third matchday of the AFC Champions League. It was a complex challenge, due to the high temperatures they were facing at the time of the game. Heat was an inherent element in their game: they didn’t light up or seriously hurt an opponent who was much smaller than paper. However, when it seemed that the duel was ending in a boring 0-0 tie, Aymeric Laporte seemed to have saved another very important victory.
After an emotionless first half and such a soporific start to the full, Stefano Pioli’s men were able to take a corner from the Iranians in their goal. The entry of Anderson Talisca at 19′ was crucial to bring more creativity to an offense that did not look very inspired.
They put together some dangerous plays, but faced the unbeaten Sheyed Hosseini, with key interventions to maintain parity. Everything seemed to end in a draw inside the Al-Rashid Stadium. Just at that moment, Cristiano won the rival area with a great header, the goalkeeper was able to keep his header with a great interception and, on the left side of the area, Laporte seemed to give the recovery advantage at 35 ‘.
Except for some upsets in the final minutes, the truth is that the Saudi team was able to sustain the victory with some ease. In this way, they achieved their second joy in the continental event and placed fourth with seven points, but two behind Al Hilal and Al Ahli, the two leaders with a perfect score.
Al Nassr didn’t shine in CR7, but he got another important win in the Asian Champions. (REUTERS/Rula Rouhana)Summary of the game
51′ ST | The game is over!
Al Nassr Esteghlal won 1-0, with a goal from Aymeric Laporte.
42′ ST | The stick prevented Al Nassr from extending the lead!
Wesley teamed up with Otávio from an elegant wall, entered the area and finished before the other goalkeeper’s bails. However, the post prevented them from scoring 2-0.
41′ ST | Changes to Esteghlal
- Jalami, Eslami and Niknafs came out
- Zakipour, Blanco and Rezavand joined
37′ ST | Change of Al Nassr
- Sadio Mané leaves
- Wesley entered.
35′ ST | ¡Gol del Al Nasr!
Cristiano was dominant in the contested area and Hosseini was able to keep out his header with a brilliant interception, but Laporte was there to grab the rebound.
34′ ST | Great save from Silva to keep the score at 0-0!
The Iranian team defender took a great header from Laporte off the line.
28′ ST | Cristiano missed a clear chance!
The Portuguese star received a reversal inside the area, turned right and finished off the body of Hosseini.
26′ ST | Change of Esteghlal
- Salió Jalolidin Masharipov
- Enter Gael Kakuta
25′ ST | Hosseini saved!
Talisca shot from long range and claimed the rival goalkeeper, who had to dive to his left to deny the ball for a corner.
19′ ST | Change of Al Nassr
- Angelo came out
- Anderson Talisca joined
15′ ST | CR7 doesn’t get the ball and Al Nassr still has no ideas
Pioli’s men lack offensive creativity: they fail to score and can’t even scare the Iranian defenders.
09′ ST | Clear opportunities are made desirable
Al Nassr has the ball, but can’t deal with the Iranian defense and the score is still nil for both sides.
00′ ST | The second part has begun!
Esteghlal and Al Nassr are already arguing about the complement.
Changes to Al Nassr
- Salieron Mohamed Simakan, Abdullah Alkhaibari and Salem Alnajdi
- Ali Lajami, Ali Al-Hassan and Sultan Al-Ghannam joined
49′ PT | End of first half: Esteghlal 0 – Al Nassr 0
Al Nassr draws with Esteghlal. (REUTERS/Rula Rouhana)41′ PT | Great luxury from Cristiano and Al Nassr almost scored the first one
CR7 sent a wall back to Brazil’s Ángelo with an elegant gesture, but his teammate was unable to score the ball against the goalkeeper’s bonds.
35′ PT | Esteghlal also went a long way
After a series of rebounds, Jalolidin Masharipov controlled the middle of the opponent’s field and tried to surprise Bento from outside the area. However, the ball went over the crossbar.
32′ PT | Al Nassr and another attempt from outside the area
Otávio sent a long-distance shot that left the ball in the hands of goalkeeper Hosseini.
29′ PT | Esteghlal vs. does not suffer. Al Nasr
The Iranian team knows how to neutralize all attacks and plays on the opponent’s nerves. On the other hand, the Knights of Najd cannot put together dangerous plays.
20′ PT | Cristiano Ronaldo warned!
The Portuguese star received the ball outside the area and took a shot that went wide of Hosseini’s right post.
17′ PT | Al Nassr’s first interesting chance
The winger Nawaf Boushal was cast in attack, teamed up with Sadio Mané and received a nice lobbed pass inside the area, which he finished with a tepid volley. The ball went into the hands of the rival goalkeeper.
13′ PT | Boring equality in Dubai
The teams continue to share possession inside the Al-Rashid Stadium. Meanwhile, emotions are waiting.
06′ PT | The first change to the game
- Mehrdad Mohammadi out (injury)
- Alireza Koushki joined
04′ PT | Very busy start
Al Nassr fails to control the ball and shares the ball with his rival.
00′ PT | The game has started!
Esteghlal and Al Nassr are already competing in the first half.
Now yes! Esteghlal and Al Nassr are on the pitch
The teams have already stood on the green grass and will play the first 45 minutes of the match corresponding to the third day of the Asian Champions League.
The game is coming: Esteghlal and Al Nassr retired to the locker room
Cristiano Ronaldo in the warm up before. (REUTERS/Rula Rouhana)The teams are already warming up on the pitch!
Cristiano Ronaldo in the warm up before. (REUTERS/Rula Rouhan) Esteghlal’s opening game
Sied Hosseinini; Ramin Rezaeian, Raphael Silva, Mohammad Hossein, Saman Fallah, Abolfazl Jalali; Didier N’Dong, Mohammad Eslami, Jalolidin Masharipov; Mehrdad Mohammadi, Zobeir Niknafs.
With Cristiano Ronaldo as captain, Al Nassr starting eleven
Benedict; Nawaf Boushal, Mohamed Simakan, Aymeric Laporte, Salem Alnajdi; Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Marcelo Brozovic; Angelo, Otávio, Sadio Mané; Cristiano Ronaldo.
Esteghlal finals
- Esteghlal 0 – 3 Zob Ahan, Friday 18 October, Indian League
- Havadar 1 – 2 Esteghlal, Saturday 5 October, Indian League
- Al-Saad 2 – 0 Esteghlal, Monday 30 September, AFC Champions League
- Esteghlal 0 – 1 Persepolis, Wednesday 25 September, Indian League
- FC Nassaji Mazandaran 2 – 2 Esteghlal, Friday 20 October, Indian League
The last games of Al-Nassr
- Al-Shabab 1 – 2 Al-Nassr, Friday 18 October, Saudi League
- Al-Nassr 3 – 0 Al-Orbah, Saturday 5 October, Saudi League
- Al-Nassr 2 – 1 Al-Rayyan, Monday 30 September, AFC Champions League
- Al-Nassr 2 – 0 Al-Wahda, Friday 27 September, Saudi League
- Al-Hazm 1 – 2 Al-Nassr, Monday 23 September, Saudi League
How to reach Esteghlal?
The Iranian team has struggled to maintain consistency in their last five matches, where they have achieved just one win and three defeats. Currently, they are in 11th place in the Iranian league, with only two wins in eight games played.
How does Al Nassr reach Cristiano Ronaldo?
CR7’s side are going through a great moment, with four wins in their last five games and are in third place in the Saudi Arabian League. Al-Nassr have not won since August 17, when they lost 4-1 to Al Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final.
The gift of Al Nassr. (Reuters/Hamad I Mohammed)Where to watch live Esteghlal vs. Al-Nassr?
In Mexico, the game will be broadcast on Disney +. In the US it can be seen live via Paramount+.
Schedule for Esteghlal vs. Al-Nassr by country
- Mexico (DF): 10:00 AM, Tuesday, October 22
- Colombia, Ecuador, Peru: 11:00 AM, Tuesday, October 22
- Paraguay, Venezuela, Bolivia, United States (ET): 12:00 PM, Tuesday, October 22
- Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile: 1:00 PM, Tuesday, October 22
When does Esteghlal vs. Al-Nassr?
The game will take place this Tuesday, October 22 at 10:00 in Mexico and at 12:00 PM (ET) at Al-Rashid Stadium
CR7 plays again in Al Nassr!
This Tuesday, October 22, Al-Nassr visits Esteghlal for the third round of the AFC Champions League. Cristiano Ronaldo’s team are looking to add three more to continue in the qualifying positions.