Al-Nassr equaled their worst defeat in the AFC Elite Champions League as Houssine Rahimi scored in either mine to help Al-Ain beat the reigning Saudi Pro League champions in the first leg of the two sides at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
Former Morocco youth international Rahimi sent a low shot against the post from a tight angle early on before intercepting Saad Al Nasser’s errant back pass in the opening 25th minute.
Rahimi’s clinical first half with a cross from the right by Alejandro Romero doubled the lead United Arab Emirates Pro League The club’s lead in the 63rd minute, with another incisive pass from the winger allowing Rahimi’s brother Soufiane to score with a ruthless strike nine minutes later, was allowed after a lengthy review by the Video Assistant Referee.
Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis completed the scoring by exchanging a one-two with Soufiane Rahimi and firing home from inside the box with five minutes remaining.
The international break means Al-Nasr they are not back in action until they host Diriyah in the league on October 9 (19:00 BST).
Al Ain vs Al Nassr: AFC Champions League misery for Ronaldo
Captain Al-Nassr Cristiano Ronaldo He had a quiet game as his side suffered a second successive away defeat following a 2-1 defeat at Al-Ittihad in the Saudi top flight on 5 September.
Ronaldo might have sensed it wasn’t going to be a happy afternoon when Ramy Rabia brought down the five-time Ballon d’Or winner shortly after Rahimi hit the woodwork.
The 41-year-old required treatment briefly and unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty, after being tripped on his way into the box as part of a fair challenge that began outside the penalty area.
Al-Ain Inigo Martinez’s header was kept out by goalkeeper Khalid Eissa as Al-Nassr threatened to open the scoring, but Al Nasser’s inexplicable mistake was a gift for Rahimi, rolling the ball straight to the keeper inside the box to curl a right-footed drive through the legs of goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi.
Rahimi dismissed a cool first half for clear offside before the unfortunate Al Nasser, who was also booked, was replaced by Rakan Al Ghamdi at half-time.
The change made little difference to the momentum on an emotional occasion for the scoring brothers, who lost their father, Mohamed, earlier this month after a long illness.
Al Nassr results: Postecoglou’s side fight back
New Al-Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou saw his side get a good save from Eissa at the end with a shot from Angelo, but with his side now on a three-game winless run and two points off the pace in the Saudi Pro League, the Australian will have plenty to think about during the early season break.
One consolation is that this result may not prove detrimental in the Champions League, in which Al-Nassr will play eight opening games and will need to finish among the top eight teams in the 16-club table.
The next game in the competition is at home to Uzbekistan Super League side Neftchi Fergana on 12 October (19:15 BST.
Team Al Ain vs Al Nassr
Al-Ain Starting XI: Khalid Eissa, Rafael Rodrigues, Yahya Ben Khaleq, Djordje Skoko, Kaku, Houssine Rahimi, Valentino Lazaro, Matios Palacios, Soufiane Rahimi, Ramy Rabia, Abdoul Traore
Al-Ain substitutes: Mohammed Bu Sanda, Marcos Andre, Georgios Giakoumakis, Erik, Baba Ilou, Hassan Muhammed, Junior, Ismaila Okpoti, Amadou Niang, Joshua Udoh, Hamid Mohammed, Adis Jasic
Team Al Nassr vs Al Ain
Al-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 Ronaldo
Al-Nasr 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
