The AFC Champions League’s final lineup is missing Cristiano Ronaldo’s team, Al-Nassr, after a challenging 3-2 defeat against Kawasaki Frontale right in front of their home supporters. Kawasaki struck first just 10 minutes into the match with a goal from Tatsuya Ito, only for Sadio Mane to level the match eight minutes later.

Kawasaki quickly regained their lead before halftime, making it 2-1 again in the 41st minute. Akihiro Ienaga extended the lead to 3-1 for Kawasaki. Al-Nassr’s Ayman Yahya found the net in the 87th minute, narrowing the gap, but they could not push for an equalizer. Despite a valiant effort taking 21 shots — 6 on target — Al-Nassr missed the chance to extend the game into extra time. In a desperate last-minute attempt, Cristiano Ronaldo rounded the goalkeeper but was denied a shot on goal as a Kawasaki defender swiftly cleared the danger.

Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t convert in the final moments of Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League semifinal loss 😐 pic.twitter.com/pYrZieX5y9 — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 30, 2025

Post-match, Ronaldo could only express disappointment as another opportunity for trophy glory slipped away. Al-Nassr previously secured the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023, marking Ronaldo’s first title with the club, but they have faced struggles in both the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League despite his scoring prowess.

Currently, Al-Nassr sits in third place in the Saudi Pro League, trailing Al-Ittihad by eight points with only five matches left in the season. Meanwhile, Ronaldo leads the league’s scoring chart with 23 goals, but that alone hasn’t been sufficient to put his team at the top.