Al Ain hand Cristiano Ronaldo heaviest defeat since Saudi Arabia move

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr suffered a 4-0 defeat by Al Ain in their opening AFC Champions League Elite match, giving the Portugal forward his heaviest loss since moving to Saudi football in January 2023.

The match at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium was controlled by the UAE side, who secured a convincing victory despite Al Nassr fielding all of their major stars.

Hussein Rahimi put Al Ain ahead in the 25th minute before adding a second shortly after the hour mark. His brother, Soufiane Rahimi, extended the hosts’ advantage with 18 minutes remaining, and Georgios Giakoumakis completed the scoring in the 85th minute after being set up by Soufiane Rahimi.

Al Nassr created little genuine danger in attack against Al Ain, who are two-time Asian champions.

Ronaldo, 41, is still waiting to score the 980th goal of his career. He had an opportunity from a free-kick in the closing stages, but Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Essa dealt comfortably with his effort.

Al Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou accepted full responsibility for the result after the final whistle.

“The players gave everything they had, and I do not blame them for anything… the responsibility lies with me,” he said.

Postecoglou also delivered a blunt assessment of his side’s display, adding: “Al Nassr as a whole were poor.”

The defeat deepens a difficult spell for the Saudi Pro League holders, who have won only one of their past four matches in all competitions.

It was also Ronaldo’s heaviest defeat since August 2022, when his then-club Manchester United were beaten 4-0 by Brentford in the Premier League at the home of the team nicknamed the Bees.