Asian Champions League Elite: Al-Hilal stay top of Western group, Ronaldo eyes next round

Saudi side Al-Hilal thrash Iran’s Persepolis 4-1 while Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr keep pace as striker marks 40th birthday with 2 goals in 4-0 win

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Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo scores the second goal from the penalty spot in the Saudi team’s 4-0 win over United Arab Emirates side Al-Wasl. Photo: Reuters

Published: 2:00pm, 5 Feb 2025

Qatar’s Al-Gharafa secured a 1-0 victory over Pakhtakor in Doha on Tuesday to edge closer to a place in the knockout rounds of the Asian Champions League Elite as former champions Al-Hilal thrashed Persepolis 4-1 in Riyadh.

In Monday’s round of matches, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr defeated the United Arab Emirates’ Al-Wasl 4-0 to cement third place in the 12-team group, which is led by Al-Hilal.

Ferjani Sassi scored six minutes before halftime to earn Al-Gharafa a win that takes Pedro Martins’ side up to seventh in the 12-team standings with one round remaining.

The top eight from the two groups, representing West and East Asia, advance to the second round. The East Asian group resumes action next week.

Iranian side Persepolis’ hopes, meanwhile, suffered a blow as their heavy defeat to the current Saudi Pro League champions saw them drop out of the qualification berths.

Al-Gharafa’s Ferjani Sassi (left) scored the goal in his team’s 1-0 win over Iran’s Pakhtakor. Photo: Reuters

Ismail Kartal’s side now sit in ninth, behind compatriots Esteghlal on goal difference ahead of their meeting with Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in Tehran on February 17.