Cristiano Ronaldo returned from suspension and could not prevent Al-Nassr losing to Al-Ain 1-0 in the first leg of their Asian Champions League quarterfinal on Monday.
A first half goal from Moroccan forward Soufiane Rahimi was enough for one-time champion Al-Ain to have the advantage in the return leg in Riyadh next Monday.
Ronaldo was fresh after missing a Saudi Pro League match on Thursday as punishment for making an alleged offensive gesture during the previous game against Al-Shabab.
Video appeared to show Ronaldo cupping his ear and repeatedly thrusting his hand forward near his pelvis in a gesture that seemed to be aimed at Al-Shabab fans who were chanting the name of Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s longstanding soccer rival.
Al-Ain’s fans did the same but were almost silenced in the sixth minute when Ronaldo went close with an overhead kick. In the final moments, he attempted a lob from the halfway line that was just wide of the post. Another shot from close range was saved by Al-Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa.
It could have been worse for Al-Nassr as Al-Ain, coached by former Argentine striker Hernan Crespo, had two goals disallowed for offside.
The game ended with Al-Nassr down a man after Aymeric Laporte was sent off in stoppage time for violent conduct. The former Manchester City defender will miss the second leg.
Line-ups
Al Ain XI: Khalid Eisa, Bandar Mohamed, Kaku, Yong-woo Park, Khalid Hashemi, Soufiane Rahimi, Yahia Nader, Matías Palacios, Erik, Kouame Autonne Kouadio, Mohammed Al-Baloushi
Subs: Ahmed Barman, Mohammed Bu Senda, Sultan Al Shamsi, Sultan Al-Mantheri, Falah Waleed, Khalid Al-Baloushi, Hazem Mohammad, Khaled Ali Al Blooshi, Mansour Saaed
Al Nassr FC XI: Ronaldo, Ospina, A. Behich, Laporte, Mane, Otávio, Abdulmajeed Al-Sulayhim, Sultan Al-Ghannam, Abdullah Alkhaibari, Ali Lajami, Ayman Yahya
Subs: Mohammed Al-Fatil, Mohammed Qasem, Sami Al-Najei, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Ali Al-Hassan, Nawaf Al-Boushal, Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa, Meshari Al Nemer, Mohammed Al-Otaibi, Faris Afandy
richway123
592
What a sad end to the never existing debate Never mind,it is has always been the world against Ronaldo 😃🤣🤣🤣
Baffaboriello
550
The Best Al nassr player
Nash_FCB
478
No Talisca no Party😄
Vikkeembrain
385
So Talisca has been carrying Ronaldo Sliuuu
ogunbajotobiloba4
355
believe it or not the definition of CR7 is football so when you talk about him you talk about football
chibosky1001
328
no penalty no party 🤣
xaranganah
317
many people forget that it's first leg and it's away game.... never forget who is Mr champions League second leg hero..... he always give haters chances to show up then shut them down.... we know you can single handle this match and save alnassr from shame we believe in you Mr champions League..
NkaluboAshiraf
243
If he doesn't score, he has nothing to offer😂😂, He has nothing to compare him to Messi other than Scoring. I wish his deluded fans sit back and watch Messi games to enjoy the brilliance of Dribbles and creating
Asnl1
218
Never Doubt!! He Will Bounce back Stronger!! Just wait and watch ✊🏻
chukwuka29
199
**CR7** WILL ALWAYS REMAIN THE BEST OF THE BEST 🥰🥰🥰🔥🔥🔥 THE GOAT HIMSELF.. IF YOU CAN ACHIEVE.. WHAT HE HAS.. THEN SO ME..
IBRAHIMLM10
182
13 successful passes in 105 minutes 😭😭😭😭 but but greatest player of all time...😭😭😂🤣
Kingsgate1234
166
Why I always tell Messi🐐 fans to never argue with these clowns 🤡👇😅
Evans0323
17
13 successful passes in 105 minutes 😭😭😭😭 but but greatest player of all time...😭😭😂🤣
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Everyone knows before that if he doesn’t scored he as nothing else to offer to the game, his fans can only debate about him and Messi whenever he score, if he doesn’t score there is no debate because there is nothing else to compare him with Messi 😁
Kingsgate1234
10
And Barcelona's fans dreams are Real Madrid's fans reality[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
And what is that , UCL , like as if we haven't won one before🤡 , your finished Goat dreams of what Messi always wins and has won🤭 , World Cup plus multiple achievements🤭