Cristiano Ronaldo’s late goal helped Al Nassr draw with Zamalek 1-1, to qualify for the group stage of the Arab Club Champions Cup 2023. However, Ronaldo only finished second in the race to score the top scorer. Leading the way is striker Karim Benzema.
The Arab Club Champions Cup is an annual tournament for Arab clubs in the Middle East and North Africa. Al Nassr attended this year’s tournament at the invitation of the Arab Football Association, without having to play in the qualifiers.
The tournament took place from July 27 to August 12, with 16 teams divided into four groups, four teams each, choosing the top two teams to advance to the quarterfinals. In the last match, Al Nassr had to meet Zamalek – a team that was more appreciated in terms of technique as well as the evenness of the players.
Al Nassr faced the prospect of being eliminated in the group stage until the 87th minute, when defender Ghislain Konan broke through on the left and then crossed for Ronaldo to score a goal from close to 10 meters. The score 1-1 is the final result of the match. Ronaldo and his teammates still won a place in the quarterfinals with second place in Group C.
After three matches, Al Nassr won one, drew two, took five points and finished second in Group C behind Al Shabab. Zamalek, representing Egypt, finished third with four points and was eliminated.
Of the eight teams that entered the quarterfinals, there were four representatives from Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr, Al Shabab, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad. Ronaldo and his teammates will meet Raja (Morocco) club in the quarterfinals on August 6.
With two goals at the tournament, Ronaldo is also second in the race of the top scorer. Leading the way was striker Karim Benzema as he scored three goals in three games for Al Ittihad.
All three goals were decisive, helping Al Ittihad win the group stage. Their opponent in the quarterfinals is Al Hilal on August 5.
