Associated Press

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo was absent as Al-Nassr lost 2-1 to Qatar’s Al-Sadd for the first time in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday.

Al-Nassr were already guaranteed a place in the round of 16, so Ronaldo, who scored five goals in his last three games, was rested. He watched from the sidelines.

Al-Sadd took the lead eight minutes after half-time through Akram Afif, who was named Asian Player of the Year in November.

While Sadio Mane and Anderson Talisca went close for Al-Nassr, a close-range own goal from Romain Saiss made it 1-1 ten minutes before the end.

However, Afif was brought down in the penalty area and in the ninth minute of stoppage time, Algerian Adam Ounas converted the penalty.

The win secured 2011 champions Al-Sadd a place in the round of 16 and moved to fourth place in the 12-team group, one point behind Al-Nassr in third. The top eight in each of the two groups advance to the knockout rounds.

“It was a tough and close game,” said Al-Sadd coach Felix Sanchez. “We worked hard to deny Al-Nassr possession and win at their home stadium. The players showed their character.”

Al-Ahli finished first in the group after the Saudi Arabian side beat Iran’s Esteghlal 2-2.

Ivan Toney scored both goals for the hosts in Jeddah. Raphael Silva scored the first goal for the Tehran team after 42 minutes, but Toney scored from the penalty spot just before half-time to make the final score 1-1.

Mohammad Hossein Eslami restored Esteghlal’s lead six minutes after the restart, but Toney scored his second penalty four minutes from time, the England striker’s fourth goal in Asia in a week.

Persepolis of Iran defeated Al-Shorta of Iraq 2-1, while Al-Wasl of the United Arab Emirates drew 1-1 with Al-Rayyan of Qatar.

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