Cristiano Ronaldo tastes defeat in Al Ain loss

Cristiano Ronaldo was on the losing side as Al Ain defeated Al Nassr in the first leg of the Asian Champions League quarter-final in the UAE.

The ex-Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus superstar saw his side slip to a 1-0 defeat against Al Ain on Monday night after a frustrating night for the Portugese star.

Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane and ex-Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte were also in the starting XI for the Saudi Arabian side, in front of a packed house at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. 

سفيان رحيمي: في المواجهات الكبيرة تظهر شخصية اللاعبين الكبار وأشكر الجماهير على المساندة القوية وندرك أننا اليوم لعبنا الشوط الأول وفي الإياب بإذن الله سنحرص على إظهار مردودنا القوي الذي يقودنا للتأهل

سفيان: المدرب كريسبو منحني الحرية المطلقة في الميدان وتلك ليس المرة الأول… pic.twitter.com/WwPNgdy0Ec

— نادي العين (@alainfcae) March 4, 2024

Despite Al Nassr having the majority of possession and shots on target it was the home side's Sofiane Rahimi who scored the game's only goal on the stroke of half time.

More misery came for Al Nassr in the 94th minute when defender Laporte was shown a red card. 

The UAE side now takes the slender lead into next Monday's second leg in Riyadh.