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 openers at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. Former Morocco youth international Rahimi, who has now switched his international allegiance to the United Arab Emirates, sent a low shot against a post from a tight angle early on before intercepting Saad Al Nassers misjudged backpass to slot in the 25th-minute opener.Rahimis clinical first-time finish from Alejandro Romeros right-wing cross doubled the UAE Pro League clubs advantage in the 63rd minute, with another incisive pass from the winger allowing Rahimis 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).Table of ContentsAl Ain vs Al Nassr: AFC Champions League misery for RonaldoAl Nassr results: Postecoglou side struggle againAl Ain team vs Al NassrAl Nassr team vs Al AinAl Ain vs Al Nassr: AFC Champions League misery for RonaldoAl-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 dOr 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 Martinezs header away as Al-Nassr threatened to open the scoring but Al-Nassers dreadful error of judgement was a gift for Rahimi, rolling the ball straight to the recipient inside the box to slip a right-footed finish through goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidis legs.Rahimi had a cool first-time finish ruled out for a clear offside before the hapless 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 againNew Al-Nassr head coach Ange Postecoglou saw his side draw a fine save from Eissa late on through Angelos 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.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 NassrAl-Ain starting XI: Khalid Eissa, Rafael Rodrigues, Yahya Ben Khaleq, Djordje Skoko, Kaku, Houssine Rahimi, Valentino Lazaro, Matios Palacios, Soufiane Rahimi, Ramy Rabia, Abdoul TraoreAl-Ain substitutes: Mohammed Bu Sanda, Marcos Andre, Georgios Giakoumakis, Erik, Baba Ilou, Hassan Muhammed, Junior, Ismaila Okpoti, Amadou Niang, Joshua Udoh, Hamid Mohammed, Adis JasicAl Nassr team vs Al AinAl-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 RonaldoAl-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 Topics Al-Nassr FC Al-Taawoun Ange Postecoglou Cristiano Ronaldo Inigo Martinez Joao Felix Sadio Mane Saudi Pro League Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Al Ain vs Al Nassr: Confirmed line ups and teams Ben Miller 15th September, 2026 Ronaldo speaks out after Neves subjected to vile abuse from fans over Jota death Jon Fisher 13th September, 2026 Al Khaleej 1-1 Al Nassr: Cristiano Ronaldo side drop points again Ben Miller 12th September, 2026 Al Khaleej v Al Nassr: Preview, expected line-ups, stats Nicholas McGee 11th September, 2026 Al-Nassr 2-1 Abha: Report, result and goals as Ronaldo and Co return to winning ways Mitch Fretton 9th September, 2026 Al-Nassr v Abha: Lineups confirmed as Mane and Felix miss out Tom Rostance 9th September, 2026
