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Cristiano Ronaldo got here beneath heavy criticism after seemingly making an offensive gesture following Al Nassr’s 3-2 victory over Al Shabab in a Saudi Professional League match.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Cristiano Ronaldo returned from suspension and couldn’t forestall Al-Nassr from shedding to Al-Ain 1-0 within the first leg of their Asian Champions League quarterfinal on March 4.
A primary half aim from Moroccan ahead Soufiane Rahimi was sufficient for one-time champion Al-Ain to have the benefit within the return leg in Riyadh subsequent Monday.
Ronaldo was recent after lacking a Saudi Professional League match on Thursday as punishment for making an alleged offensive gesture throughout the earlier recreation in opposition to Al-Shabab.
Video appeared to point out Ronaldo cupping his ear and repeatedly thrusting his hand ahead close to his pelvis in a gesture that appeared to be geared toward Al-Shabab followers who had been chanting the title of Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s longstanding soccer rival.
Al-Ain’s followers did the identical however had been virtually silenced within the sixth minute when Ronaldo went shut with an overhead kick. Within the remaining moments, he tried a lob from the midway line that was simply broad of the submit. One other shot from shut vary was saved by Al-Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa.
It may have been worse for Al-Nassr as Al-Ain, coached by former Argentine striker Hernan Crespo, had two objectives disallowed for offside.
The sport ended with Al-Nassr down a person after Aymeric Laporte was despatched off in stoppage time for violent conduct. The previous Manchester Metropolis defender will miss the second leg.
“We’re solely midway via, and whereas going to the subsequent spherical goes to be tough, we nonetheless have 90 minutes at residence,” Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro stated.
The winner of the tie is assured a semifinal in opposition to Saudi opposition. Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal meet on Tuesday within the second quarterfinal within the western zone — the event is split into two geographic halves till the ultimate.
