Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 21st goal of the season and his fourth in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday, leading Al Nassr to a 1-0 victory over Al Fayha in an all-Saudi last-16 tie.
In a match played at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, the 39-year-old Portuguese star initially struggled against Al Fayha, a club sitting 14th in the Saudi Pro League.
Al Fayha had been one of only two teams in the domestic league to prevent Ronaldo from scoring, and it seemed that streak might continue for a third match. However, in the 81st minute, Ronaldo volleyed the ball over the head of the advancing goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic following a quick 1-2 with Marcelo Brozovic, securing the win for Al Nassr.
Earlier in the game, Ronaldo missed a much easier chance right on the stroke of half-time, with his weak attempt saved by Stojkovic.
In other matches on Wednesday, Bangkok United scored a stoppage-time goal against Yokohama F Marinos to secure a 2-2 draw, while FC Nasaf and Al Ain played out a goalless draw.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors from South Korea are close to booking their place in the quarter-finals after a 2-0 win over Pohang Steelers. At the Jeonju World Cup Stadium, the champions in 2006 and 2016, scored through their Brazilian forward Hernandes in the 17th minute, and Ahn Hyun-beom doubled the margin in the 64th.
Bangkok United's substitute Mahmoud Eid scored a header in the 92nd minute as the Thai side came back from 2-0 down at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani. Nitipong Selanon had earlier reduced the deficit with three minutes remaining in the first half.
Elber opened the scoring for the visiting Japanese team in the 18th minute, and Watanabe scored the second in the 24th from Ren Kato's measured pass.
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