.png)
Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the sidelines as already-qualified Al Nassr suffered their first loss in this year's Asian Champions League (ACL) Elite, falling 2-1 in injury time against Qatar's Al Sadd.
The 39-year-old Portuguese great was allegedly rested for the match in Riyadh after the Saudi club qualified for the knockout stages last week, with three rounds of the group round remaining.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner scored twice against Al Gharafa, another Qatari club, the last time out, and then twice again in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.
However, the Al Nassr skipper was left out of Stefano Pioli's matchday roster for the visit of Al Sadd.
Ronaldo, who has 15 goals in 18 games for his team this season, was sighted visiting Al Awwal Park with his mother, Dolores Aveiro, and partner, Georgina Rodriguez.
Al Sadd seized the lead eight minutes into the second half when Akram Afif, the reigning AFC Player of the Year, ran from the halfway line to a long ball.
Afif raced defender Mohammed Al Fatil and finished low past Brazil's goalkeeper Bento.
Al Nassr equalized on 80 minutes when Brazilian teenager Wesley's low cross was diverted into his own goal by Al Sadd defender Romain Saiss.
However, Al Nassr would suffer a major setback when Afif was tripped within the hosts' penalty area, and replacement Adam Ounas scored from the spot in the 99th minute.
With the defeat, Al Nassr remains third in the Western Region group stage, while Al Sadd moves to fourth, securing a ticket in the round of 16.
The top eight teams advance to the knockout stages.
Fellow Saudi side Al Ahli stay top, despite losing their perfect record in this year's competition, due to an Ivan Toney double in a 2-2 draw with Iran's Esteghlal in Jeddah.
Toney scored twice in his second Champions League Elite encounter in a row, after his double against Asian champions Al Ain the previous week.
#alnassr #ronaldo #christianoronaldo #acl #football #newstainmentora
