Julian Draxler

INIGO MARTINEZ threw a tantrum at boss Jorge Jesus as Al-Nassr booked their place in the Asian Champions League Two final. Cristiano Ronaldo and Co hosted Qataris Al Ahli with a shot at silverware on the line. The visitors saw a Julian Draxler penalty saved early on, but did take the lead via Sekou Yansane...

The result marks a major milestone for the Saudi outfit, with Ronaldo and his teammates pushing deep into a competition they are now just one step away from winning. Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been at the center of a defining night for Al-Nassr, as the club powered past Qatar’s Al-Ahli with a 5-1 victory to reach the AFC Champions League Two final for the first time. The result marks a major milestone for the Saudi outfit, with Ronaldo and his teammates pushing deep into a competition they are now just one step away from winning. The match began with immediate drama, as Al-Ahli threatened to seize control in the opening minutes. A penalty offered them a golden opportunity, but goalkeeper Bento produced a crucial save to deny Julian Draxler and keep the score level. Moments later, however, Al-Ahli found their breakthrough through Sekou Yansane, briefly silencing the home side. That lead lasted only minutes, as Kingsley Coman responded with a close-range finish to restore balance and ignite the comeback. From that point on, Al-Nassr began to dictate the rhythm with authority. Angelo Gabriel turned provider and scorer, first setting up Coman before calmly finishing himself to give the club the lead midway through the first half. The pressure never eased, and just before halftime, Coman struck again to extend the advantage. By the break, Jorge Jesus’ players had transformed a shaky start into a commanding 3-1 lead, leaving little doubt about the direction of the contest. The second half followed a familiar pattern, with Al-Nassr controlling possession and creating chances at will. Final secured 🏆 See you in Riyadh 👋 pic.twitter.com/IGjgIejZx3 — AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) April 22, 2026 Coman completed his hat-trick in the 64th minute, finishing calmly after another incisive pass from Angelo. Late in the game, Abdullah Al-Hamdan added a fifth goal to complete a dominant 5-1 victory, underlining the gap between the two sides. The record revealed Only after the dust settled did the full significance of the result become clear. According to ESPN, Al-Nassr has become the first Saudi club to qualify for the AFC Champions League Two final, marking a historic milestone in the competition. This achievement places the club in uncharted territory, elevating its continental standing and reinforcing its rapid evolution into a genuine force in Asian soccer. The victory now sets up a final clash against Gamba Osaka, with the trophy within touching distance. For a team still chasing its first major title since Ronaldo’s arrival, the opportunity carries enormous significance. Ronaldo’s influence beyond goals While Ronaldo did not find the net, his presence remained central to the team’s attacking flow. The veteran forward stretched the defense, linked play effectively, and created openings that allowed teammates to thrive in dangerous areas. MY LEFT BACK!!🐐🐐🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/9jsuVpdLiV — The Nassr Tribune™️ (@AlNassrTribune) April 22, 2026 His leadership was visible in moments of transition, urging the team forward and maintaining intensity. Even without scoring, his influence helped sustain the relentless attacking pressure that defined the performance.

After a commanding win over Al Wasl, Al Nassr face Al Ahli Doha today in the AFC Champions League 2 semifinal. Looking to end a long trophy drought, fans are closely watching Cristiano Ronaldo’s status, as his scoring impact could be decisive. Al Nassr have put together a very solid season. Not only do they dominate the Saudi Pro League, but they have also excelled in the AFC Champions League 2. After defeating Al Wasl, they now take on Al Ahli Doha, aiming to secure their place in the tournament final. Heading into this match, fans are keeping a close eye on Cristiano Ronaldo’s status, as he was pivotal in the previous game and could be so again today thanks to his formidable scoring prowess. Cristiano Ronaldo has been in top form in recent matches, avoiding injuries and other setbacks. With this in mind, coach Jorge Jesus will opt to deploy the Portuguese star as the team’s center forward, as he remains the most productive player of the season. In addition, he could look to enter the race for the AFC Champions League 2 top scorer, as he currently has just one goal and may need to shine today. Alongside the veteran Portuguese forward, Al Nassr will turn to João Félix, who has established himself as one of the team’s standout players, scoring four goals in the competition and 16 in the Saudi Pro League. Forming a strong attacking duo, they will aim to reach the tournament final, where they would face Bangkok United, potentially securing Cristiano Ronaldo’s first title with the team. While Al Nassr arrive in top form, Al Ahli Doha are unbeaten in their last five matches, making them a side that is also in excellent shape. For this reason, head coach Younes Ali Rahmati will once again rely on Julian Draxler, who has rediscovered his form, alongside Sekou Yansané and Michel Vlap, who have emerged as the team’s leading scorers. In addition, they boast a solid defense that could make things difficult for Cristiano Ronaldo’s team. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr Al Nassr lineup vs Al-Ahli Doha Al Nassr have maintained strong form throughout the season, with only Raghid Alaa Najjar sidelined through injury. As a result, head coach Jorge Jesus has a full squad at his disposal to compete in the AFC Champions League 2. With a semifinal spot on the line, they will come in highly motivated to defeat Al-Ahli Doha, as it would bring them closer to securing their first official title of the season. Therefore, Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence will be vital. Considering this, Al Nassr will lineup as follows: Bento Krepski; Nawaf Boushal, Mohamed Simakan, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Iñigo Martinez; Kingsley Coman, Ângelo, Marcelo Brozovic, Sadio Mane; João Félix, Cristiano Ronaldo. Al-Ahli Doha lineup vs Al Nassr Al-Ahli Doha have established as one of the top teams in the AFC Champions League 2, impressing throughout the tournament. In addition, head coach Younes Ali Rahmati has helped Julian Draxler rediscover his best form, making him one of the team’s standout performers. However, Michel Vlap is the team’s attacking leader as they push to reach the final, especially given their lack of form in the Qatar league, where they sit well off the top spot. With this in mind, Al-Ahli Doha will play as follows: Marwan Badreldin; Robin Tihi, William Ekong, Ayoub Amraoui, Amidou Doumbouya; Driss Fettouhi, Ibrahima Diallo, Julian Draxler, Michel Vlap; Sekou Yansané, Erik Expósito.