Cristiano Ronaldo Leads Al Nassr towards Asian Champions League Quarterfinals with Double Performance

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for Al Nassr in their 3-1 victory over Al Gharafa in the AFC Champions League Elite, extending their impressive run in the competition. The 39-year-old's stellar performance helped Al Nassr move closer to securing a spot in the quarter-finals, as they now only require two points from their remaining three group stage matches. With Al Shorta being the only team standing in their way with just two points and four games left to play, Ronaldo's team looks poised to advance to the next round. In another match, Persepolis and Al Rayyan settled for a 1-1 draw, further strengthening Al Nassr's position in the competition.

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 team-mate 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.

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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.

Super-sub Toney

The Riyadh club now sit behind only Saudi Arabian counterparts Al Ahli, who maintained their 100 percent record thanks to a double from substitute Ivan Toney to see off Asian champions Al Ain 2-1 in the UAE and reach the knockouts for the first time.

The England international was left on the bench for the match at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, however having been introduced on 65 minutes, he scored within five minutes. First, he headed home Riyad Mahrez's deep free-kick.

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A late window signing from English Premier League club Brentford in August, Toney struck what proved to be the winner four minutes later.

This time, he met a superb long pass from former Manchester City winger Mahrez to finish past Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Essa.

Al Ain, who in April defeated Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds to win the title, pulled one back late on through Kaka's sublime volley. 

The victory means Al Ahli have now won all five matches in the rebranded competition, and thus led the Western standings on 15 points.

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Also in that section, Iran's Esteghlal were held to a goal-less draw by Uzbekistan side Pakhtakor Tashkent in Dubai.

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)