Al-Nassr stormed into the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-finals on March 10, 2025, with a commanding 3-0 second-leg win over Esteghlal in Riyadh, thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty and Jhon Duran’s brace.
The Al-Nassr vs. Esteghlal clash saw the Saudi giants, who ruled the West region’s group stage, break open the tie goalless after the first leg in Iran in just nine minutes at Al Awwal Park, cementing their knockout prowess.
Duran, a January pickup from Aston Villa, struck first, lofting a stunning chip over Esteghlal’s Hossein Hosseini after pouncing on a loose ball. Back from a rest, Ronaldo doubled the lead on 27 minutes, coolly slotting a penalty his seventh goal in six AFC games after Sadio Mane drew a foul.
Esteghlal crumbled before halftime, reduced to 10 men when Mehran Ahmadi’s second yellow (upped by VAR) sent him off. Duran sealed the Al-Nassr vs Esteghlal rout late, drilling a low shot past the post.
The Portuguese icon, topping the Saudi Pro League with 18 goals, led with flair, while Duran’s double marked his AFC breakout. Elsewhere, Al Sadd clinched a 4-2 aggregate over Al Wasl, with Mostafa Meshaal, Youcef Atal, and Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif scoring in a 10-minute blitz.
