Dec 03, (V7N) - Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the stands as Al Nassr suffered their first defeat of this year's Asian Champions League Elite, losing 2-1 to Qatar's Al Sadd in a dramatic injury-time finish on Monday.

The 39-year-old Portuguese star was reportedly rested for the match in Riyadh, with Al Nassr already assured of a spot in the knockout stages with three group games to spare. Ronaldo had been in fine form, scoring doubles in both the previous Champions League game against Al Gharafa and the Saudi Pro League match on Friday.

Ronaldo, who has tallied 15 goals in 18 appearances this season, was absent from Stefano Pioli’s matchday squad but was seen at Al Awwal Park with his mother, Dolores Aveiro, and partner Georgina Rodriguez.

The match came alive in the second half when Akram Afif, the reigning AFC Player of the Year, opened the scoring for Al Sadd in the 53rd minute. Sprinting from the halfway line to meet a long ball, Afif outpaced Mohammed Al Fatil before calmly slotting past Al Nassr's Brazilian goalkeeper Bento.

Al Nassr equalized in the 80th minute when a low cross from Brazilian youngster Wesley was inadvertently turned into his own net by Al Sadd defender Romain Saiss.

However, Al Sadd snatched victory in the dying moments of the game. Afif was fouled in the penalty area, and substitute Adam Ounas converted the resulting penalty in the 99th minute to secure all three points.

Despite the loss, Al Nassr remains third in the Western Region group stage standings, while Al Sadd climbed to fourth, both advancing to the last 16. The top eight teams in the group stage will move on to the knockout rounds.

Elsewhere, Saudi club Al Ahli retained the top spot despite a 2-2 draw with Iran’s Esteghlal in Jeddah. England striker Ivan Toney scored twice from the penalty spot, once in first-half injury time and again in the 86th minute, rescuing a point for his team. Esteghlal's Mohammed Hossein Eslami was sent off late in the game.

Toney’s performance marked his second consecutive Champions League Elite match with a brace, following his two-goal haul last week against defending Asian champions Al Ain.

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