In a tightly contested Asian Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match, Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia played out a goalless draw against Esteghlal of Iran in Tehran. Despite missing their star player Cristiano Ronaldo, who was rested due to fatigue, Al Nassr created several scoring opportunities but failed to capitalize. Colombian forward Jhon Durán and Ayman Yahya missed clear chances in the first half, while Sadio Mané’s late effort narrowly missed the target. Esteghlal’s defense, led by goalkeeper Seyed Hosseini, stood firm to deny Al Nassr a crucial away goal. The return leg, scheduled for March 10 in Riyadh, will determine which team advances to the quarterfinals. Al Nassr will be hopeful of a stronger performance, especially with Ronaldo expected to return, while Esteghlal aims to maintain their defensive resilience.
In another Round of 16 clash, Al Sadd of Qatar and Al Wasl of the UAE played out a 1-1 draw at Zabeel Stadium. Ali Saleh gave Al Wasl an early lead in the 3rd minute, but Abdullah Al-Yazidi equalized for Al Sadd in the 68th minute with a well-placed header. Al Wasl dominated the first half, creating numerous chances, including a disallowed goal by Pedro due to offside. However, their inability to convert opportunities proved costly as Al Sadd secured a vital away goal. The second leg, set for March 10 in Doha, promises to be an intense encounter, with Al Wasl looking to repeat their January victory over Al Sadd in the Qatari-Emirati Super Cup.
Al Nassr Held by Esteghlal in Goalless Draw; Al Sadd and Al Wasl Share Spoils in Thrilling 1-1 Clash
