In a dramatic conclusion to their AFC Champions League Elite group stage campaign, Al-Nassr suffered their first defeat, falling 2-1 to Qatar’s Al-Sadd at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on December 2, 2024. The match was marked by a late penalty that secured Al-Sadd’s progression to the knockout stages.
Match Overview
Al-Nassr, already assured of a spot in the round of 16, opted to rest star forward Cristiano Ronaldo for this encounter. Al-Sadd took the lead in the 53rd minute through Akram Afif, the reigning Asian Player of the Year. Al-Nassr equalized in the 80th minute with an own goal by Al-Sadd’s Romain Saiss. In the dying moments of injury time, Afif was fouled in the penalty area, and Adam Ounas converted the resulting penalty to secure the win for Al-Sadd.
Al-Sadd’s Progression
This victory propelled Al-Sadd into the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League, finishing fourth in their 12-team group, just a point behind Al-Nassr. The top eight teams from each group advance to the round of 16, scheduled for March.
Al-Nassr’s Performance
Despite the absence of Ronaldo, Al-Nassr maintained a strong performance throughout the group stage, securing their place in the knockout rounds prior to this match. The loss to Al-Sadd was their first in the competition this season.
Other Group Results
In other group matches, Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia drew 2-2 with Esteghlal of Iran, ending their perfect record in the competition. Persepolis of Iran secured a 2-1 victory over Al-Shorta of Iraq, while Al-Wasl of the United Arab Emirates drew 1-1 with Al-Rayyan of Qatar.
Looking Ahead
With the group stage concluded, the focus now shifts to the round of 16, where the top eight teams from each group will compete for a place in the quarterfinals. Al-Nassr and Al-Sadd will both be aiming to advance further in the tournament, with the knockout rounds set to commence in March.
