Cristiano Ronaldo might have recently turned 40 but he is showing no signs of slowing down as the Portuguese great converted a penalty to help Al Nassr sail into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite.
Ronaldo's goal and a double from Jhon Duran powered Al Nassr to a 3-0 second leg win over Esteghlal.
Al Nassr captain Ronaldo was rested for last week's goalless first-leg draw in Iran. He returned to lead the way at Al Awwal Park.
Al Nassr, one of three Saudi Arabian sides to dominate the west region's group stage, needed only nine minutes to take the lead in Riyadh.
Duran put the home team in front early with the Colombian lifting the ball over Seyed Hossein Hosseini after the Esteghlal goalkeeper gifted possession to the striker 30 yards from goal.
Duran, a winter signing from Premier League side Aston Villa, registered his first goal in the competition.
The Saudi side doubled their lead from the penalty spot as Ronaldo stepped up in the 27th minute to convert with typical confidence following Mohammad Niknafs' mistimed challenge on Sadio Mane.
Ronaldo casually stroked the spot-kick into the centre of the net to take his tally in this year's Champions League Elite to seven goals in six appearances. The Portuguese star is also the leading scorer in this season's Saudi Pro League with 18 goals.
Esteghlal's night got even worse just before half time when they were reduced to 10 men when Mehran Ahmadi inadvertently caught Al Nassr defender Mohammed Al Fatil with a stray arm in the face while trying to shield the ball.
VAR upgraded the foul to a yellow card and, with Ahmadi having earlier been booked, he was promptly sent off.
Al Nassr went close to adding a third at the beginning of the second half. First, Duran had an effort saved only for Ayman Yahya's rebound to be cleared off the line.
Minutes later, Duran thumped the Esteghlal crossbar with a shot from distance.
Duran claimed his second goal of the game six minutes from time when he whipped a low strike into the bottom corner having earlier hit the post as Al Nassr eased through.
"I think we played well," said Mane. "We created many chances and we scored three goals. I think we got our reward.
"We pressed well together, we pushed them and they made mistakes and from that we scored three goals. We have a clean sheet and we cannot expect more than this."
Ronaldo was elated after the match, sharing his joy with fans on social, posting on X "Quarter-finals, here we come!"
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh359,000
On sale: now
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This month, Dubai Medical College launched the Middle East’s first master's programme in addiction science.
Together with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, the college offers a two-year master’s course as well as a one-year diploma in the same subject.
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Company%20Profile
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About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
