Al-Nassr equalled their worst-ever defeat in the AFC Champions League Elite as Houssine Rahimi scored in either half to help Al-Ain beat the reigning Saudi Pro League champions in both sides’ opener at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
Former Morocco youth international Rahimi sent a low shot against a post from a tight angle early on before intercepting Saad Al Nasser’s misjudged backpass to slot in the 25th-minute opener.
Rahimi’s clinical first-time finish from Alejandro Romero’s right-wing cross doubled the UAE Pro League club’s advantage in the 63rd minute, with another incisive pass from the winger allowing Rahimi’s brother, Soufiane, to net with a ruthless strike nine minutes later, allowed following a lengthy Video Assistant Referee review.
Greek forward Giorgos Giakoumakis completed the scoring by exchanging a one-two with Soufiane Rahimi and firing in from inside the box with five minutes remaining.
The international break means Al-Nassr are not in action again until they host Diriyah in the league on October 9 (19:00 BST).
Al Ain vs Al Nassr: AFC Champions League misery for Ronaldo
Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo had a quiet game as his team suffered a second successive away defeat following their 2-1 loss at Al-Ittihad in the Saudi top flight on September 5.
Ronaldo might have sensed this would not be a happy evening when the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was sent tumbling at speed by Ramy Rabia shortly after Rahimi struck the woodwork.
The 41-year-old briefly required treatment and unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty, having been knocked off balance on his way inside the box as part of a fair-looking challenge that began outside of the penalty area.
Al-Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eissa pushed Inigo Martinez’s header away as Al-Nassr threatened to open the scoring but Al Nasser’s inexplicable error was a gift for Rahimi, rolling the ball straight to the recipient inside the box to slip a right-footed drive through goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi’s legs.
Rahimi had a cool first-time finish ruled out for a clear offside before the unfortunate Al Nasser, who was also booked, was replaced by Rakan Al Ghamdi at half-time.
The switch made little difference to the momentum on an emotional occasion for the scoring brothers, who lost their father, Mohamed, earlier this month following a long illness.
Al Nassr results: Postecoglou side struggle again
New Al-Nassr head coach Ange Postecoglou saw his side draw a fine save from Eissa late on through Angelo’s shot but, with his side now on a three-match winless run and two points off the pace in the Saudi Pro League, the Australian will have plenty to reflect on during the early pause in the season.
One consolation is that this result may not prove damaging in the Champions League, in which Al-Nassr will play an initial eight matches and need to finish among the top eight teams in the 16-club table.
Their next match in the competition is at home to Uzbekistan Super League team Neftchi Fergana on October 12 (19:15 BST.
Al Ain team vs Al Nassr
Al-Ain starting XI: Khalid Eissa, Rafael Rodrigues, Yahya Ben Khaleq, Djordje Skoko, Kaku, Houssine Rahimi, Valentino Lazaro, Matios Palacios, Soufiane Rahimi, Ramy Rabia, Abdoul Traore
Al-Ain substitutes: Mohammed Bu Sanda, Marcos Andre, Georgios Giakoumakis, Erik, Baba Ilou, Hassan Muhammed, Junior, Ismaila Okpoti, Amadou Niang, Joshua Udoh, Hamid Mohammed, Adis Jasic
Al Nassr team vs Al Ain
Al-Nassr starting XI: Nawaf Al Aqidi, Abdulelah Al Amri, Abdullah Al Khaibari, Saad Al Nasser, Nawaf Boushal, Inigo Martinez, Samu Costa, Mohamed Simakan, Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo
Al-Nassr substitutes: Bento, Nader Al Sharari, Hayder Abdulkareem, Abdullah Al Hamddan, Sami Al Naji, Angelo, Majed Qasheesh, Abdulrahman Al Otaibi, Rakan Al Ghamdi, Saad Haqawi, Sultan Al Mas, Awad Aman
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