Al Sadd secured a massive three points against Al Nassr in their AFC Champions League clash. The Qatari side took advantage of Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence, as Al Nassr’s head coach Stefano Pioli had decided to rest the football icon since they had already booked their place in the round of 16.

The first half was goalless, with few chances created by either team. Al Nassr had the majority of possession, but failed to capitalize on their opportunities. Their best chance came in the 17th minute when Anderson Talisca hit the crossbar.

In the second half, Al Nassr continued to dominate possession, but it was Al Sadd who took the lead in the 53rd minute through a break in transition. Gonzalez played a long ball to Akram Afif, who fired it into the back of the net.

Former Wolves defender Romain Saiss unluckily put the ball into his own net after a misjudged cross from Al Nassr’s winger Wesley.

Al Sadd was awarded a penalty in stoppage time after the referee pointed to the spot following Mohammed Al-Fatil’s foul on Adam Ounas in the box. Ounas stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, breaking Saudi hearts.

The win took Al Sadd to fourth place in the AFC Champions League West Table, while Al Nassr remains in third place with 13 points.