Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr booked their place in the Asian Champions League Two final with a dominant 5-1 win over Al Ahli, but the match was overshadowed by a touchline meltdown involving one of his teammates.
Al Nassr responded quickly after the visitors took an early lead through Sekou Yansane, turning the game around in emphatic fashion. Kingsley Coman starred with a hat-trick, while Angelo Gabriel and Abdullah Al-Hamdan also found the net to seal a comprehensive victory.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, tensions flared on the sidelines during the match. Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate Inigo Martinez was involved in a heated exchange with manager Jorge Jesus as the team celebrated a goal.
The pair were seen shouting and gesturing angrily at each other before the situation escalated. Martinez then threw a water bottle to the ground in frustration, with it skidding toward his manager. Teammates had to step in to calm the situation.
The incident stood in stark contrast to Al Nassr’s on-field dominance as they moved one step closer to silverware.
Martinez, who joined the club as a free agent after leaving Barcelona last summer, has made 37 appearances this season, scoring four goals. Meanwhile, Jesus took charge of the side last year following his stint with Al Hilal.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr Reach Asian Champions League Two final
Cristiano Ronaldo helped Al-Nassr crush Qatar’s Al-Ahli 5-1 on Wednesday to reach the Asian Champions League Two final and move within touching distance of a first major trophy since joining the Saudi club in December 2022. The 41-year-old Portugal superstar played for 78 minutes and, while he did not score, French international Kingsley Coman’s hat trick inspired a comeback victory in Asia’s second-tier club tournament.
Al-Ahli had a chance to take the lead after seven minutes, but a penalty from former Germany international Julian Draxler was saved by Brazilian goalkeeper Bento. Four minutes later, the Qatari side went ahead. Sekou Yansane cut inside from the right and curled a low shot into the far corner.
Al-Nassr responded almost immediately, with Coman equalizing from close range after Angelo broke free down the left. Angelo then put the hosts in front midway through the first half, collecting a pass from Sadio Mane before guiding the ball past the goalkeeper.Just before the break, Al-Nassr extended its lead as Coman pounced on a loose ball to score from close range.
Al-Nassr, which leads the Saudi Pro League with five games remaining, faces Japan’s Gamba Osaka in the Champions League Two final in Riyadh on May 17.