MOSCOW, September 19 – Saudi Al-Nasr defeated Iranian Persepolis in the match of the first round of the group stage of the Asian Champions League.

The meeting in Tehran ended in victory for the guests with a score of 2:0. The goals were scored by Abdulrahman Gharib (62nd minute) and Mohammed Kassem (72). Guest forward Cristiano Ronaldo entered the field in the starting lineup and was replaced in stoppage time; the Portuguese did not score any effective actions.

The match at Iran’s largest stadium, Azadi Stadium, which has a capacity of 90 thousand spectators, was held in empty stands due to sanctions against Persepolis imposed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Ronaldo’s arrival in Tehran caused a stir among local fans, who accompanied the club bus from the local airport and forced their way into the hotel lobby where Al-Nasr was staying. Items allegedly touched by Ronaldo were sold on Iranian online platforms.