*Scorers: Coman 13', 45', 64', Angelo 23', Al Hamddan 80' - Yansane 11'

On the neutral ground of Zabeel Stadium in Dubai on the evening of 22/4, Ronaldo started as a striker but was not the focus of the match. Al Nassr faced an early disadvantage, conceding in the 11th minute to a goal from Sekou Yansane. However, the game quickly turned around thanks to the impressive performances of Kingsley Coman and Angelo.

Coman equalized in the 13th minute, and Angelo put Al Nassr ahead 2-1 in the 23rd minute before the French forward completed his brace at the end of the first half. In the second half, Coman capped his brilliant performance by scoring a hat-trick in the 64th minute, extending the lead to 4-1.

Ronaldo dribbles during the Al Nassr versus Al Ahli Qatar match at Zabeel Stadium, Dubai, UAE, in the AFC Champions League two semifinal on the evening of 22/4/2026. Photo: Al Nassr.

Despite the goal-scoring feast, Ronaldo remained quiet. He took three shots, all from inside the penalty area, but none troubled the goalkeeper. In the 10th minute, his left-footed shot was blocked by a defender. In the 49th minute, the 41-year-old forward had his clearest chance after a pass from Angelo but shot over the bar. Minutes later, he tried his luck again from a combination with Sadio Mane, but his shot was blocked. Additionally, Ronaldo created an opportunity for Mane in the 60th minute, but the Senegalese forward could not convert.

Coach Jorge Jesus substituted Ronaldo in the 78th minute, along with Joao Felix and Marcelo Brozovic. Before leaving the field, he joked with his replacement, Abdullah Al Hamddan. Just two minutes after coming on for Ronaldo, Al Hamddan tapped the ball into an open net from a perfectly set-up pass by Angelo.

On their path to the final, Al Nassr overcame Arkadag (Turkmenistan) with an aggregate score of 2-0 in the round of 16. They then defeated Al Wasl (UAE) 4-0 in the quarterfinals and continued their winning streak by beating Al Ahli (Qatar) 5-1 in the semifinals.

In the final on 17/5, Al Nassr will play at home against Gamba Osaka (Japan), the strongest representative from East Asia. This presents a significant opportunity for Ronaldo to end a title drought stretching back to the Coppa Italia with Juventus in 2021. He previously helped Al Nassr win the Arab Club Champions Cup, but that tournament is not considered official.

Al Nassr is also closing in on the Saudi Pro League championship, currently leading second-placed Al Hilal by 8 points with five rounds remaining. However, Al Hilal has played one fewer match than Jorge Jesus's squad.

Hoang An