Al Ain sweep aside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr 4-0 in AFC Champions League Elite

Al Ain began their AFC Champions League Elite campaign with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Al Nassr, with Egypt international defender Rami Rabia playing a prominent role for the United Arab Emirates side.

The hosts established control during the opening period and took the lead in the 25th minute through Morocco forward Al Hussein Rahimi.

Al Nassr struggled to produce their usual level and were unable to match Al Ain’s intensity. The Saudi club, the reigning Saudi league champions, were repeatedly threatened by the home side, with goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi called upon on several occasions.

Al Ain doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute when Rahimi found the net again. His brother, Sufian Rahimi, then added a third nine minutes later to put the result beyond doubt.

Giorgos Giakoumakis completed the scoring in the 84th minute, securing a comprehensive win for the home team.

Rabia impressed throughout the match as Al Ain dominated proceedings, while Al Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo were unable to prevent their side from suffering a heavy defeat.

The result gives Al Ain an ideal start to the league phase of the competition. They will face Iraqi club Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in their second-round fixture on 12 October.

Al Nassr will also return to action on 12 October, when they meet Uzbek side Neftchi.

Al Ahli Saudi FC are the holders of the past two editions of the AFC Champions League Elite.