Al Ain FC beat Al Nassr 4-0 in the AFC Champions League Elite league stage on Tuesday, handing the Saudi side one of their heaviest defeats of the season despite a starting line-up that included Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Joao Felix.
Houssine Rahimi, the 24-year-old Moroccan striker, scored twice for the home side. His brother Soufiane Rahimi and Giorgos Giakoumakis added the other goals at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.
How Al Ain dismantled Al Nassr
Al Nassr had more possession across the 90 minutes, but Al Ain were sharper in the final third, cutting through the Saudi backline repeatedly with precise passing and direct attacking play.
Ronaldo, 41, ended the game without a goal or assist and was visibly frustrated as Al Ain’s defence held firm. Al Nassr had entered the competition as one of the favourites after winning the Saudi Pro League title earlier this year, their 11th Saudi league title overall.
The result reversed recent history between the clubs. Al Nassr beat Al Ain 5-1 at home in the same competition in November 2024.
Ivic and Postecoglou react
Al Ain head coach Vladimir Ivic, speaking after the match, said the result reflected the work his squad had put in over more than a year together. ‘It was very important to start the competition with a win against one of the teams expected to win this competition,’ the Serbian said, according to the Al Ain Club official website.
‘We know what we can do and the guys did their job really well till the end and they deserve the victory.’
Ivic added that the performance carried a broader purpose: ‘We sent a message to ourselves on what we can do and this is most important to me. We have worked hard together for more than one year and we have new guys who joined us this summer and the target is to improve and be better game by game.’
Al Nassr coach Ange Postecoglou did not blame his players for the 4-0 loss. ‘I do not hold the players accountable for the result. We are currently dealing with a congested match schedule, which is a major factor and impacting our performance,’ the Australian said.
‘The criticism directed at the team and the coaching staff following this result is justified. The coach bears the responsibility when the outcome is like this. However, we must get to work and review our errors ahead of upcoming fixtures.’
Al Ain’s title pedigree on show
Al Ain are the reigning AFC Champions League Elite champions, having won the tournament in 2024. Tuesday’s display showed they remain a serious force in Asia’s premier club competition.
The squad that delivered the victory includes Houssine Rahimi, who holds dual Moroccan and UAE nationality, according to Transfermarkt. His brace against Al Nassr made him the standout performer on the night.
The AFC Champions League Elite league stage runs through to February 2026. Al Nassr will need to recover quickly if they are to mount the title challenge their squad suggests they are capable of.
