Cristiano Ronaldo loses control in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 defeat

Al-Nassr’s return to the Asian Champions League began with a record defeat and an angry reaction from Cristiano Ronaldo. The Riyadh club still has seven matches to repair its campaign, but its opening performance against Al Ain exposed a sharp contrast with its domestic form.

Al-Nassr were beaten 4-0 in the United Arab Emirates, their heaviest loss in the competition since its current format began in 2003. Houssine Rahimi scored twice, while his brother Soufiane Rahimi and Giakoumakis also found the net. Ronaldo responded to the third goal with angry gestures towards teammates and a protest aimed at the referee. During another attacking move, he grabbed an Al Ain player and sent him to the ground, although the incident brought no sanction.

The evening had begun with supporters chanting Lionel Messi’s name, to which Ronaldo replied with ironic applause. He started alongside João Félix and Sadio Mané but could not prevent Al-Nassr’s collapse. Coach Ange Postecoglou faced questions over the forward’s contribution and defended both Ronaldo and the squad, saying the Portuguese had already scored three goals despite limited preparation and that responsibility rested with him.

Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League position offers some relief: the club is third after seven rounds, only two points behind leaders Al-Hilal. Its Asian campaign, however, now starts with the pressure of recovering from the competition’s clearest setback.