A quick breakthrough, Al Nassr officially advances to the quarterfinals of the Asian C2 Cup

Even without their star Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr proved their resilience by clinching a slim win against Arkadag, officially qualifying for the AFC Champions League Two quarterfinals this season.

After a 1-0 away win in the first leg, Al Nassr returned home with a certain advantage against Arkadag, the team representing Turkmenistan. Although Ronaldo was missing, the Saudi Arabian club started confidently and quickly took control of the match.

Just in the 2nd minute, Al Nassr opened the scoring. Boushal sprinted down the right wing before delivering a precise cross into the penalty area. Abdulrahman Ghareeb arrived at the perfect moment and finished with a one-touch shot into the opponent’s net. This lightning-fast goal gave Al Nassr a significant edge and forced Arkadag to adjust their game plan.

Following the concession, Arkadag pushed forward to seek an equalizer. However, their attacks lacked creativity and were easily anticipated. Al Nassr’s defensive structure was tight, effectively controlling the space in front of their penalty area and barely allowing the opposition any truly dangerous chances in the first half.

In the second half, Al Nassr continued to dominate possession. The home side increased pressure with fast combinations on both flanks, putting Arkadag’s goal under serious threat. Nevertheless, the second goal did not come as finishing touches lacked a bit of precision. On the other hand, Arkadag remained unable to break through the Saudi defense.

The drama unfolded in the final minutes when Arkadag was reduced to ten men. Annagulyyev received a red card for a dangerous foul, leaving the visitors a player short. Facing a disadvantage both in score and numbers, Arkadag failed to make an impact. The match ended with a narrow 1-0 victory for Al Nassr.

With this result, Al Nassr won 2-0 on aggregate over two legs and officially booked their place in the 2025/26 Asian C2 Cup quarterfinals. In the next round, coach Jorge Jesus’s team will face Al Wasl from the United Arab Emirates. The quarterfinals are expected to be played over two legs, with the first leg away and the second at home in Saudi Arabia.

Although he did not play in this match, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the focal point as Al Nassr advances deeper into the continental tournament. After falling behind in the domestic title race, the Asian C2 Cup represents a major chance for his team to claim a trophy this season. The victory over Arkadag shows that Al Nassr is not solely reliant on one individual and can sustain effectiveness with squad rotation.

Securing a spot in the quarterfinals opens a new chapter for Al Nassr. The challenges ahead will be much tougher, but with a strong squad and clear ambitions, Ronaldo’s team stands a good chance to progress further and pursue continental glory.