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Cristiano Ronaldo Powers Al Nassr to Crucial AFC Champions League Win in His Landmark Appearance

Published 02/14/2024, 3:21 PM EST

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The first leg of the AFC Champions League Round of 16 between Al Feiha and Al Nassr has just concluded, and it is safe to say that the Riyadh-based club is heading in the right direction. And who better to guide them than the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo himself? The Portuguese superstar started 2024 with a bang, scoring the decisive goal in Al Nassr’s 1-0 victory.

The match itself held great significance for the Portuguese striker. It also marked his 1000th appearance in club matches, and he certainly made sure to make it memorable!

Cristiano Ronaldo scores the winning goal on his 1000th appearance

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In terms of offensive action during the first half from both CR7 and Al Nassr, there was only one shot registered. However, momentum surged as greater opportunities arose throughout the second half culminating in an intense face-off at an initial scoreline of 0-0. That was until the pivotal moment came when the 39-year-old sparked brilliance in the 80th minute through cohesive team play leading him right into scoring bliss.

This well-executed breakthrough from Cristiano Ronaldo bolstered their position ahead while also sealing Al Feiha’s fate; proving instrumental in declaring the Knights of Najd’s victorious. A quick look into some further statistics reveals the Portuguese legend had a total of three shots on goal and an impressive pass accuracy of 91%.

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Undeniably, the Al Nassr captain’s pivotal contribution was instrumental in the victory of his team. Nonetheless, the task remains incomplete. The upcoming Leg-2 match on February 21 will determine the final outcome. Although Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to make a significant impact, there is another prominent player who deserves recognition. And the player is none other than Marcelo Brozovic who was arguably the best player in today’s matchup.

Marcelo Brozovic dropped a masterclass in Riyadh

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The absence of Sadio Mane from the lineup undoubtedly presented Al Nassr with a heightened challenge. Regardless, Marcelo Brozovic seized the opportunity to rise to this test. It was his expertise that orchestrated the key goal for Cristiano Ronaldo. In addition to this noteworthy contribution, the Croatian midfielder exerted remarkable control over the match, reaching an impressive count of 151 touches and completing 108 passes – leading in both categories.

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Moreover, he also took charge of setting up six promising chances, another metric where he reigns supreme among all players on the field. Throughout the match, the 31-year-old’s performance on the field was outstanding. Both Brozovic and Ronaldo proved to be the pivotal factors in their team’s victory. It will be intriguing to observe how this partnership continues to flourish.

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Written by:

Saransh Chauhan

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Saransh Chauhan is a senior soccer writer at EssentiallySports. From dissecting the latest developments in soccer leagues to delving into off-court and entertainment topics, Saransh has cemented his reputation as a true all-rounder. His coverage leans towards players with exceptional dribbling skills and playmaking abilities; Ozil, Xavi, Iniesta, and Neymar for example.
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Edited by:

Sreeda U M