Al Ain 4-0 Al Nassr: Five key takeaways from AFC Champions League Elite 2026-27 clash
Al Nassr suffers its heaviest defeat of the season.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr began their 2026-2027 Champions League campaign away against Al-Ain, the UAE champions.
The performance was difficult to watch for Al Nassr supporters, as Houssine Rahimi scored twice, followed by Georgis Giakoumakis and Soufiane Rahimi, to enable them to defeat the defending Saudi Pro League winners, which was one of the most embarrassing defeats for the team.
Five key takeaways from AFC Champions League Elite 2026-27
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5. Second defeat in the new season
Al-Nassr have suffered one setback in the Saudi Pro League this campaign (a 2-1 loss to Al-Ittihad on September 5, 2026), as well as a recent 4-0 loss to Al Ain in the AFC Champions League Elite, which made it their second defeat of the season already.
4. Al Nassr’s leaky defence gets exposed
Al Nassr’s defensive flaws were revealed in a humiliating 4-0 defeat to UAE side Al Ain in their AFC Champions League Elite opener at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
Despite a star-studded roster that included Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané, manager Ange Postecoglou’s team experienced a comprehensive defensive collapse caused by major individual errors and institutional flaws.
Houssine Rahimi capitalised on an unintentional, misjudged pass from Al Nassr’s left-back Saad Al-Nasser. Rahimi slotted the ball directly through custodian Nawaf Al-Aqidi’s legs. Houssine Rahimi increased his total after another lapse in transition.
3. Al Nassr failed to score for the first time
Al Nassr lost 4-0 against Al Ain in the AFC Champions League Elite at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, highlighting a rare occurrence in which the Saudi team failed to score against the Emirati club. It was the first time that Al Nassr couldn’t find the back of net into the new season.
2. Ronaldo failed to get on the scoresheet
Cristiano Ronaldo did not score a goal, and Al-Nassr FC suffered a 4-0 defeat against Al Ain FC in their AFC Champions League Elite group stage encounter on September 15, 2026, with three attempts and no goals or assists.
1. Al Ain embarrass Al Nassr in AFC Elite
Al Ain thrashed Al Nassr 4-0 on September 15, 2026, at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in the first group stage game of the AFC Champions League Elite. Houssine Rahimi scored twice, Soufiane Rahimi grabbed a third, and replacement Giorgos Giakoumakis sealed the win in the 84th minute.
Who won the game?
Al Ain won the game 4-0.
Who scored for Al Nassr?
Houssine Rahimi scored twice, followed by Georgis Giakoumakis and Soufiane Rahimi.
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