For the first time since the beginning of 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to score for Al Nassr while on the field. Returning to the squad after a suspension in the Saudi Pro League, the Portuguese striker was unlucky to celebrate in the Asian Champions League.

Coach Luis Castro resting Anderson Talisca and Marcelo Brozovic significantly affected Al Nassr’s strength in the away trip to Al Ain in the first leg of the Asian Champions League quarter-finals. They escaped defeat in the first half thanks to VAR, but the second time they had to go into the net to pick up the ball when Alejandro Romero tricked goalkeeper Ospina and finished into the empty goal.

For his part, Ronaldo appeared quite lost in attack due to the lack of connection with his teammates, especially his familiar and compatible partner Talisca, who scored 4 goals in the previous 2 matches. As a result, it wasn’t until near the end of the match that CR7 created his first real opportunity.

From the cross on the left wing into the penalty area, the ball passed through the feet of two Al Ain players and suddenly reached Ronaldo. He immediately finished the shot at a distance of about 6 meters but was blocked by the opponent’s goalkeeper despite falling to the other side.

Video of Ronaldo’s close-range shot being blocked is unbelievable

At the 10th minute of injury time, it seemed like Ronaldo could score a masterpiece with a bold shot from the middle of the field when goalkeeper Khalid Eisa went high, unfortunately the ball went wide of the goal.

Before that, in the first half, Ronaldo also had a shot in the “upside down bicycle” style but was unsuccessful.

This opportunity passing also means that Al Nassr has to accept a 0-1 defeat and is forced to find a way to reverse the situation in the return match on March 12 at home.