Injured Neymar to miss Copa America in June

RIYADH: Jhon Duran, Al-Nassr’s latest big signing, made his debut for the club on Monday but it was Cristiano Ronaldo who once again grabbed most of the headlines in a 4-0 win over Emirati side Al-Wasl in the AFC Champions League Elite.

Earlier, Al-Ahli defeated Al-Sadd of Qatar 3-1 to ensure it was another good day for the Kingdom in Asia. The victories mean that the top-three spots in the 12-team West Asian group are all still occupied by Saudi Pro League sides, with Al-Ahli in first place on 19 points, three ahead of both Al-Hilal, who can go back on top with a win against Persepolis of Iran on Tuesday, and Al-Nassr.

Al-Nassr and Al-Wasl had already secured their places in the knockout phase ahead of Monday’s game but both teams nonetheless fielded strong starting lineups for match day seven of eight in the group stage.

Duran started the game just three days after arriving in Riyadh from Aston Villa, but it was to be the familiar figure of Ronaldo who did most of the damage.

The opening goal, however, came after 25 minutes from a less likely source in Ali Al-Hassan. The midfielder picked up possession 30 meters from goal, took a step forward and then unleashed a low shot that flew into the bottom corner of the Al-Wasl net.

Just before the break, Cristiano Ronaldo, just two days shy of his 40th birthday, extended the Yellows’ lead from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. The Portuguese megastar made it 3-0 after 78 minutes with a flying header, and there was still time for Mohammed Al-Fatil to add a fourth.

Meanwhile, Al-Ahli had to come from a goal behind at Al-Sadd. Akram Afif opened the scoring for the 2011 champions with just 47 seconds on the clock, as he raced onto a through pass. The Asian player of the year spotted Edouard Mendy was off his line and lifted the ball over the ex-Chelsea shot-stopper.

Nine minutes later, Roberto Firmino silenced the home fans in spectacular fashion. Riyad Mahrez headed the ball across goal to where the former Liverpool star was waiting to find the back of the net with a perfectly-executed bicycle kick.

Six minutes before the break and the Jeddah giants were ahead thanks to Roger Ibanez. It was all over in the 81st minute after Ivan Toney got to the ball ahead of the goalkeeper at the edge of the area, leaving Mahrez to fire home.