Al Nassr Takes Commanding Step Towards Knockout Stages with 1-0 Win Over Esteghlal in Dubai
In a thrilling encounter at a neutral venue in Dubai, Aymeric Laporte’s late header secured a 1-0 victory for Al Nassr over Esteghlal of Iran in the Asian Champions League. With just nine minutes remaining in the match, Laporte capitalized on a rebound from a Cristiano Ronaldo header, sending the Riyadh-based club to seven points after three games in the group stage.
The win keeps Al Nassr in a competitive position, just two points behind fellow Saudi Pro League clubs Al Hilal and Al Ahli, who currently top their group. This result underscores the dominance of Saudi clubs in the revamped continental championship, as they continue to showcase their prowess on the Asian stage.
Al Nassr faced a determined Esteghlal side, who were forced to relocate the match due to security issues in Iran. Despite numerous attempts, Al Nassr struggled to break through Esteghlal’s resilient defense and goalkeeper Seyed Hossein Hosseini, who made several crucial saves throughout the match.
As the clock ticked down, it seemed like the teams would share the spoils until Laporte’s intervention in the 81st minute. Following a powerful header from Ronaldo that Hosseini could only parry, Laporte was perfectly positioned to nod in the winning goal, sealing a crucial three points for Al Nassr.
The victory enhances Al Nassr’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages, with the top eight finishers from both the eastern and western regions of Asia progressing to the round of 16. Scheduled to be played in March, these knockout matches will see teams battle it out on a home-and-away basis. Following that, the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals will take place as single-leg matches in Saudi Arabia during April and May.
In another match, UAE side Al Wasl came from behind to secure a 2-1 win against Qatar’s Al Gharafa in Doha. Ferjani Sassi initially put Al Gharafa ahead, but goals from Fabio Lima and Isaac Success turned the tide for Al Wasl, marking their second victory in three games and keeping them within reach of the top teams in their group.
