AFC Champions League Two: Al-Nassr thrash Istiklol away to qualify for next round

ISLAMABAD: In the Al-Nassr VS Istiklol crucial clash, Saudi giants Al-Nassr delivered a stunning performance in the AFC Cup today, thrashing Istiklol 4–0 in a one-sided Group D clash on Match day 5.

From the very first whistle, Al-Nassr imposed their authority, dominating possession, attack, and overall gameplay. The scoreboard opened early when João Félix calmly converted a penalty in the 12th minute, giving the visitors a swift advantage. The pressure continued, and in the 40th minute, Mohamed Simakan doubled the lead with a clinical finish, leaving Istiklol reeling before halftime.

Despite their efforts, Istiklol struggled to break through Al-Nassr’s organized defense. The home side managed just two shots on target from eight attempts while committing 14 offsides, highlighting their difficulty in creating clear opportunities. Al-Nassr, on the other hand, controlled 66 per cent of possession, consistently threatening the opposition’s goal.

The Saudi side maintained their momentum after the break. Sadio Mané added a third goal in the 84th minute following a swift attacking move, and deep into stoppage time, Ayman Yahya sealed the emphatic 4–0 victory with a composed finish in the 90+2 minute.

The pass. The finish.

Joao Felix 🤝 Sadio Mane#ACLTwo | #ISTvNSR pic.twitter.com/uEkZX9O63G

— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) November 26, 2025

Match statistics reflected Al-Nassr’s dominance: 15 shots with 7 on target, six corners, and fewer fouls and offsides compared to Istiklol.

With this emphatic win, Al-Nassr strengthened their grip on Group D, sending a strong message to their rivals ahead of the final matchday. Istiklol, meanwhile, faces a challenging task to bounce back in their remaining fixtures.