In a highly anticipated clash at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al-Ain Football Club’s first team secured a crucial victory against Saudi powerhouse Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The match played on Monday evening, unfolded with intense drama and tactical brilliance from both sides. However, it was Al-Ain who emerged victorious, clinching a narrow 1-0 win.
The pivotal moment arrived in the 44th minute of the first half when Al-Ain’s Sofiane Rahimi found the back of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Despite their lead, Al-Ain faced some tense moments, with two goals disallowed by the match referee. In a late twist, Al-Nassr’s defender “Laporte” was shown a red card in the 90+4 minute, further tilting the scales in Al-Ain’s favor.
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العين يكسب مواجهة الذهاب⚽️#العين_النصر#دوري_آبطال_آسيا | #SSC pic.twitter.com/VxGIp2vScQ— SSC (@ssc_sports) March 4, 2024
However, Al-Nassr, led by captain Cristiano Ronaldo, fought valiantly and came close to equalizing in the dying minutes of the game, only to be denied by resilient Al-Ain defense.
With this crucial win, Al-Ain now holds a vital advantage as they head into the second leg, scheduled to take place in Riyadh on March 11th. The stage is set for a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for a spot in the prestigious AFC Champions League semi-finals.
