Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr Lose AFC Champions League Final to Gamba Osaka

Cristiano's wait for silverware with Al Nassr continues; Gamba Osaka stun Saudi giants in AFC Champions League Two final

Riyadh, May 17

It was a 29th-minute strike from Denis Hummet, which proved to be the difference between the two sides on a match which took place on Al Nassr's home turf.

In a jam-packed King Saud University Stadium, Al Nassr were massive favourites to lift the title. But the Gamba Osaka striker Hummet turned brilliantly to meet an Issam Jebali pass and produced a fine finish in the bottom corner of the net, stunning the home crowd, as per Goal.com.

The goal had come against the run of play, with the home side having dominated a massive chunk of the match at that point. Gamba's defensive unit was at its most disciplined and did not let superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane to breach them.

Mane had the first chance to score in th eighth minute, but it lacked the power to beat the 18-year-old goalie Rui Araki. Ronaldo's chances also left much to be desired in the first half, and pressure was on the home side.

The Portugal veteran was central to his side's late charge, but his every attempt was met with brilliant resistance from Gamba. In the 86th minute, Ronaldo almost scored, but a last-ditch block from Genta Miura sent the ball for a corner.

Rui was sensational with his glovework, denying likes of Joao Felix and Inigo Martinez with some steely, well produced saves. Felix did come close to scoring the equaliser, but hit the goalpost, leaving the home fans in silence. Despite dominating the final 10 minutes, Al Nassr just could not breach the Japanese side's defensive wall.

— ANI