Al Nassr finished their AFC Champions League Two group stage campaign with a perfect record after a 5-1 victory over Iraqi side Al Zawraa at Al-Awwal Park. Having won all six of their Group D fixtures, the Saudi giants showcased their tactical depth, led by a standout performance from Kingsley Coman.
Despite the heavy defeat, Al Zawraa managed to secure a spot in the Round of 16, advancing on goal difference ahead of Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol, who could only manage a 2-1 win over FC Goa in the group's other final fixture.
The match saw Cristiano Ronaldo make his first continental appearance of the season after being rested for the previous five group games. While the 40-year-old remained relatively quiet in front of goal, his impact was felt through his playmaking.
On the stroke of half-time, Ronaldo provided a chipped assist over the defense for Joao Felix, who finished with a delicate chip of his own to make it 4-0. Ronaldo was substituted at the break for Mohammed Marran, having successfully navigated his return to the continental stage.
Kingsley Coman was the evening's most influential player, opening the scoring in the 12th minute after a sharp one-two with Angelo Gabriel. Coman eventually completed his brace in the 56th minute, arriving late to finish a move after Joao Felix smartly let the ball run through his legs.
Between Coman’s goals, Wesley doubled the lead in the 19th minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the area, and Abdulelah Al-Amri added a third with a clinical header from a Joao Felix corner.
Al Zawraa struggled to find a consistent rhythm against the highly organized hosts but found a brief moment of hope early in the second half. In the 50th minute, substitute Qasim Majid split the Al Nassr defense with a through ball to Ibrahim Gbadamosi, who finished with composure to pull the score back to 4-1.
While the Iraqi club looked to close the gap further, signs of fatigue and frustration became evident as Al Nassr maintained 72% possession to see out the match.
With this victory, Al Nassr moves into the knockout stages as the clear favorites in the competition. The result also confirmed the final standings for Group D, with Al Nassr and Al Zawraa progressing, while Istiklol and FC Goa were eliminated.
Al Nassr manager Stefano Pioli utilized the latter stages of the match to rotate his squad, introducing Haroune Camara and Ali Al Hassan, as the team now shifts its focus back to domestic duties in the Saudi Pro League.