Al-Nassr vs Al-Wasl Feb 3 Ronaldo Shine 4-0 AFC Championship

Al-Nassr vs Al-Wasl on February 3, 2025, was an anticipated AFC Champions League Elite group-stage match, and Al Nassr won 4-0 at Al-Awwal Park. The match showed that the Saudi Arabian club controlled the ball well, scored, and defended, giving Al Wasl few chances to play their style.

Cristiano Ronaldo showed once again why he’s one of the best goal-scorers, getting two goals to help his team win. With goals from Ali Al-Hassan and Mohammed Al-Fatil also on the scoresheet, Al-Nassr sent a strong message to their competitors in the event. Let’s look at the main moments, strategies, and player performances from this exciting game.

Match Overview Al-Nassr vs Al-Wasl

• Competition: AFC Champions League Elite (Group Stage)
• Date: February 3, 2025
• Venue: Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Final Score: Al-Nassr 4 – 0 Al Wasl
• Attendance: 22,562
• Referee: Aziz Asimov (Uzbekistan)
• Weather: Clear skies, 22°C at kickoff

Lineups and Tactical Approach

Al-Nassr (4-2-3-1)

Manager: Luís Castro

• Goalkeeper: David Ospina
• Defense: Sultan Al-Ghannam, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Aymeric Laporte, and Alex Telles.
• Midfield: Marcelo Brozović and Abdullah Al-Khaibari.
• Attacking Midfield: Anderson Talisca, Sami Al-Najei, and Sadio Mané.
• Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo

Tactical Approach: 

Al-Nassr vs Al-Wasl used a solid 4-2-3-1 system. This setup helped them defend well while letting their top attackers play. Brozović set the pace of the game, and the full-backs, Al-Ghannam and Telles, helped stretch the play wide. Talisca, Mané, and Ronaldo worked well together, making it hard for Al Wasl’s defense during the match.

Al Wasl (4-3-3)

Manager: Miloš Milojević

• Goalkeeper: Khaled Al Senaani
• Defense: Salem Al-Azizi, Mohammed Al-Attas, Everaldo, and Hassan Al-Muqattim.
• Midfield: Ali Salmin, Nicolás Giménez, Caio Canedo
• Attack: Fabio Lima, Ali Saleh, Soufian Rahimi

Tactical Approach: 

Al Wasl used a tight defense to withstand pressure and aimed to attack Al-Nassr when they had a chance. Their three-person center tried to stop Al-Nassr from passing, but the team kept attacking, making it hard for them to stop.

Key Moments and Turning Points

1st Half:

25th Minute – Al-Nassr Goal (Ali Al-Hassan)

After a period of constant pressure, Al-Nassr earned a corner kick. Talisca made a great play by sending a perfect cross into the box. Ali Al-Hassan jumped higher than the defenders and scored with a strong header, passing it past the Al Wasl goalie. The home team is winning 1-0.

44th Minute – Al-Nassr Goal (Cristiano Ronaldo – Penalty)

An Al Wasl defender made a rough hit on Sadio Mané because of how well he moved in the penalty area. The official pointed out a penalty. Ronaldo stepped up and beat Khaled Al Senaani, giving Al-Nassr a two-goal lead right before the break.

Halftime Analysis:

Al-Nassr vs Al-Wasl controlled the first half, having 65% of the ball and making six shots on goal, while Al-Wasl had only one shot. The UAE team was stuck in their half of the field because Luís Castro’s team stopped them from attacking back.

2nd Half:

78th Minute – Al-Nassr Goal (Cristiano Ronaldo)

Talisca passed the ball to Ronaldo, who got away from his defender and took a strong shot that went past the near post. It was typical of Ronaldo fast, accurate, and strong all at once.

88th Minute – Al-Nassr Goal (Mohammed Al-Fatil)

Another corner led to Al-Nassr’s fourth goal. Mohammed Al-Fatil jumped high to head the ball into the goal after Brozović put in a perfect cross. This sealed a strong win.

Match Statistics

Statistic Al-Nassr Al Wasl

Possession 65% 35%

Shots on Target 12 3

Corners 8 2

Fouls 10 15

Post-Match Analysis

Al-Nassr’s Tactical Masterclass

Al-Nassr vs Al-Wasl did everything right, showing that they are one of the best teams in the league. It made a big difference that they knew how to start plays from the back, move, and use holes in Al Wasl’s defense.

• Cristiano Ronaldo’s Impact: Two goals, a dominating presence in the attack, and a constant threat to Al Wasl’s defense. He continues to make a big difference.
• Midfield Control: Brozović’s skill at controlling the game kept Al-Nassr in charge. His passing accuracy (91%) and defense support were very important.
• Defensive Solidity: Laporte and Al-Amri kept their attention and only allowed Al Wasl three shots on goal, despite their quick attack.

Al Wasl’s Struggles

The UAE club struggled to make an impact on the game.

• Lack of Creativity: Nicolás Giménez couldn’t lead the game as hoped, leaving Al Wasl lacking creativity.
• Defensive Errors: They felt bad about giving up the penalty before halftime and had trouble with set plays, which cost them.
• Ineffective Counterattacks: Al Wasl only had the ball 35% of the time, so they had to make the most of their quick plays. Yet, they rarely put David Ospina to the test.

Summary

Al-Nassr vs Al-Wasl Feb 3 2025 in an exciting and significant win for the Saudi team. They won 4-0 and showed that they are one of the strong contenders for the AFC Champions League Elite title. It also gave them important points in the group stage. Cristiano Ronaldo is in charge of Al-Nassr, and the team looks ready to do well in the event.

This loss is a wake-up call for Al Wasl. They need to come together, improve their defense, and work better as a team in attack to stay competitive in the game.

The next game for Al-Nassr will be very important for their progress, and this showing makes it clear that they are a strong team in Asia.

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