Ronaldo Celebrates with Al Nassr Historic Asia Cup Win in Iran

Cristiano Ronaldo missed two chances but played a key role in Al Nassr's 2-0 win over Persepolis
ATTA KENARE
Cristiano Ronaldo missed two chances but played a key role in Al Nassr's 2-0 win over Persepolis ATTA KENARE
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Ronaldo Celebrates with Al Nassr Historic Asia Cup Win in Iran

Cristiano Ronaldo missed two chances but played a key role in Al Nassr's 2-0 win over Persepolis
ATTA KENARE
Cristiano Ronaldo missed two chances but played a key role in Al Nassr's 2-0 win over Persepolis ATTA KENARE

Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a winning debut in the Asian Champions League as he played part in Al Nassr 2-0 victory against 10-man Persepolis in Iran on Tuesday night.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has five UEFA Champions League titles to his name, captained the Saudi Arabian side to an opening three points in Group E.

The match at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran was played without fans after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) upheld a one-game ban for Persepolis supporters dating back to 2021, AFP reported.

Nassr grabbed both goals in the second half against the two-time runners-up, through a Danial Esmaeilifar own goal and a fine strike by defender Mohammed Qassem.

It marked the first time a Saudi club played in Iran since 2016, after the AFC announced a “ground-breaking agreement” earlier this month between the two countries' federations.

Iran and Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties seven years ago, meaning Asian Champions League matches had been since played at neutral grounds.

Ronaldo, 38, was heavily involved throughout, twice going close in the first half.

His initial chance - a powerful, close-range header - was sent straight at Persepolis goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand which left Ronaldo beating the post in frustration.

Nassr’s hopes grew considerably at the beginning of the second half, when Persepolis midfielder Milad Sarlak was given a second yellow card, this time for appearing to stamp on Ronaldo’s boot.

Replays showed it was unintentional, the contact minimal.

Ronaldo played a key role in Nassr's opener just after the hour, the Portuguese instigating the move that led to Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s blocked shot cannoning off Persepolis full-back Esmaeilifar and nestling in the net.

Ten minutes later, Nassr left-back Mohammed Qassem broke down the left and thumped his shot high past Beiranvand to double the visitors’ advantage and secure the points.



Yamaha’s Quartararo Denies Marquez His Home Spanish MotoGP Pole

 Team Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP's Fabio Quartararo rides during a practice session of the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix at the Jerez racetrack in Jerez de la Frontera, on April 26, 2025. (AFP)
Team Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP's Fabio Quartararo rides during a practice session of the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix at the Jerez racetrack in Jerez de la Frontera, on April 26, 2025. (AFP)
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Yamaha’s Quartararo Denies Marquez His Home Spanish MotoGP Pole

 Team Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP's Fabio Quartararo rides during a practice session of the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix at the Jerez racetrack in Jerez de la Frontera, on April 26, 2025. (AFP)
Team Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP's Fabio Quartararo rides during a practice session of the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix at the Jerez racetrack in Jerez de la Frontera, on April 26, 2025. (AFP)

Frenchman Fabio Quartararo beat crowd favorite and six-times MotoGP champion Marc Marquez to take pole position at the Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix at the Circuito de Jerez on Saturday, where the lap record was broken twice.

Championship leader Marquez looked on course for a fifth successive pole after he sped to a time of one minute and 35.643 seconds early in the second qualifying, but Quartararo put on a blistering lap in the final moments to stun the Ducati rider.

The 26-year-old Yamaha rider clocked a time of one minute and 35.610 seconds to take his first pole since 2022.

Twice MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia came third to complete the front row.

"It's a really special feeling, a special emotion for everybody," Quartararo said.

"We know that the points are on the sprint and the race, but already to feel the atmosphere close to all these guys is something.

"Hopefully, we can make a great fight on the sprint, on the race we know it's a little more difficult. But super happy to be here. We are working hard and the work will pay off."

Gresini's Alex Marquez was the fourth fastest, ahead of Franco Morbidelli of VR46 Racing in fifth.

Marquez leads his younger brother Alex by 17 points in the championship and Italian Bagnaia in third by 26. He has the opportunity to stretch it further in the sprint, which will be held later on Saturday.