Cristiano Ronaldo lights up Asia as Al-Nassr edge seven goal thriller in AFC Champions League

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo lit up the Asian Champions League on Tuesday with two spectacular goals and delicious assists as Al-Nassr defeated Al-Duhail 4-3 in a thrilling encounter. 

It was thrilling because of the excitement and the quality on show in Riyadh especially from the five-time Ballon D'or winner. It means also that  Al-Nassr made it three out of three to stay three clear of Iran’s Persepolis at the top of Group E and on course for the knockout stages. It was a close run thing however.

The home team were quick out of the blocks with Anderson Talisca cutting inside from the right in the third minute and firing a shot just over the bar.  It set the tone for much of what was to follow as the Saudi Arabians were quickly on top while the visitors were very much on the backfoot.

It was not a surprise at all then that Talisca found the back of the net after 25 minutes from a similar position but there was a piece of Ronaldo magic in the build-up. 

Abdullah Al-Khaibari found the former Real Madrid star on the edge of the area who then, with his back to goal. produced a delightful backheel past Portuguese compatriot Ruben Semedo and rightwards along the 18-yard line for Talisca, who still had some work to do, to turn and then send a low shot back across the goalkeeper.

As the half went on however, Al-Duhail started to ask questions and not long before the break Almoez Ali saw his shot saved by Nawaf Al-Aqidi and then the prolific Michael Olunga saw a header go off target.

On the stroke of half-time, Ronaldo almost recorded an even more outrageous assist. From a stationary position just outside the area, he scooped the ball over the defence onto Sadio Mane whose header went just wide. 

Early in the second half,