Cristiano Ronaldo led Al-Nassr, a Saudi Arabian team, to a 4-1 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos from Japan in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Elite on Saturday.
The 40-year-old striker scored his eighth goal of the tournament during a dominant first-half performance in Jeddah, where all tournament matches from the quarterfinal stage to the final on May 3 are being held.
Jhon Duran, who was signed for over $100 million from Aston Villa in January, opened the scoring with a close-range shot. Four minutes later, Sadio Mane doubled Al-Nassr’s lead with a powerful low shot from the left side of the area.
Just before halftime, Ronaldo contributed to Al-Nassr’s pursuit of their first-ever continental title by scoring his 33rd goal of the season. After goalkeeper Park Il-kyu spilled a shot from Marcelo Brozovic, Ronaldo was quick to capitalize on the opportunity from close range.
Duran scored his second goal and Al-Nassr’s fourth just four minutes after the break, while Anderson Lopes managed to grab a consolation goal for the five-time Japanese champions.
In the semifinals, Al-Nassr will face either Al-Sadd from Qatar or Kawasaki Frontale from Japan.
