Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr to a commanding 4-1 victory over Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos in the AFC Champions League Elite quarterfinals on Saturday, solidifying their pursuit of a historic continental title. The 40-year-old forward scored his 33rd goal of the season, cementing his status as the tournament's top performer.
Ronaldo opened the scoring with a poised finish after a rebound, later contributing to a dominant first half that saw goals from Jhon Duran and Sadio Mane. Duran, the young Colombian acquired in a high-profile transfer from Aston Villa, netted twice to underline his growing influence in the squad.
Al Nassr, now unbeaten in 12 matches across all competitions, will face either Qatar's Al Sadd or Japan's Kawasaki Frontale in Wednesday's semifinal. All knockout-stage matches are hosted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, culminating in the final on May 3.
The win highlights the rising competitiveness of Gulf football on Asia's stage, drawing global attention to regional talent and marquee signings like Mane. Analysts note the match's implications for investor interest in Saudi sports infrastructure ahead of the nation's 2034 FIFA World Cup bid.
