Al-Nassr edged out Damac 3-2 in a five-goal thriller without Cristiano Ronaldo to remain alive in the Saudi Pro League title race.
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Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr's trip to DamacAl-Nassr beat Damac 3-2 Kept Champions League qualification hopes alive Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPWHAT HAPPENED?
Ronaldo was omitted from the matchday squad as Al-Nassr took on Damac in a crucial Saudi Pro League clash. Stefano Pioli wanted to rest the 40-year-old ahead of the club's upcoming AFC Champions League quarter-final tie against Yokohama F Marinos.
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Ronaldo's absence, however, did not affect Al-Nassr's performance as the Saudi giants beat Damac 3-2. Ramzi Solan opened the scoring for Damac before Aymeric Laporte scored the equaliser for the visiting team. Ali Alhassan then put Al-Nassr in front in the 70th minute, but Nicolae Stanciu's strike brought Damac back into the game. Sultan Al-Ghannam then netted a last-gasp winner to seal crucial three points for Pioli's side.
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The three points helped Ronaldo's side reduce the gap with league leaders Al-Ittihad to eight points. They are now two points above fourth-placed Al-Ahli and remain in contention to secure an AFC Champions League slot for next season.
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The Saudi side will next face J1 League club Yokohama F Marinos on Saturday in the AFC Champions League quarter-final.