Al Ain thrash Al Nassr 4-0 in AFC Champions League Elite opener
DUBAI : Al Ain opened their AFC Champions League Elite 2026-27 campaign with a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr on Tuesday, with Houssine Rahimi scoring twice.
Rahimi put Al Ain ahead in the 25th minute after intercepting a backpass from Saad Al Nasser before shooting through goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi’s legs and into the left corner.
Al Nassr had chances to equalise before halftime. Mohamed Simakan headed over the crossbar from a corner in the 38th minute, while captain Cristiano Ronaldo was caught offside shortly afterwards.
Al Nasser was initially shown a red card two minutes before halftime for an elbow on Valentino Lazaro, but the decision was changed to a yellow card following a VAR review.
Rahimi doubled Al Ain’s lead in the 63rd minute, finishing a pass from Alejandro Romero with a first-time shot that went beyond Al Aqidi.
His brother Soufiane added a third nine minutes later after receiving another pass from Romero and placing his shot into the bottom right corner.
Al Ain completed the scoring in the 85th minute when Giorgos Giakoumakis exchanged passes with Soufiane Rahimi before sending a low shot into the left corner.
Al Ain’s victory gave the former champions three points from their opening league-phase fixture, while Al Nassr began their continental campaign with a defeat.
The result leaves Al Ain with a four-goal margin from their first match as they begin their bid to progress from the AFC Champions League Elite league phase.
