Ronaldo's Al-Nassr out of Asian Champions League with semifinal loss to Kawasaki Frontale

Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr out of Asian Champions League with semifinal loss to Kawasaki Frontale

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Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after his team lost to Kawasaki Frontale during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa)

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Kawasaki Frontale’s Kento Tachibanada, right, plays the ball as Al Nassr’s Otavio, left, closes in during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa)

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Kawasaki Frontale players, center, celebrate after defeating Al Nassr in a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa)

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Al Nassr’s Jhon Duran, left, looks to shoot against Kawasaki Frontale during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match against Al Nassr at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa)

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Al Nassr’s Sadio Mane, right, celebrates after scoring against Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa)

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Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) walks off after his team lost to Kawasaki Frontale during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa)

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Kawasaki Frontale’s Kota Takai (2) rises above to head the ball during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match against Al Nassr at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa)

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s wait for a major trophy in Saudi Arabia is set to continue after Al-Nassr lost 3-2 to Kawasaki Frontale in the Asian Champions League semifinals on Wednesday.

The 40-year-old Ronaldo, who signed for the Riyadh club in December 2022, had chances but failed to score against the team from Japan.

Kawasaki will face another Saudi team, Al-Ahli, in Saturday’s final with both teams bidding for a first continental title.

Kawasaki was ahead after just 10 minutes on a spectacular volley from Tatsuya Ito. Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane equalized for Al-Nassr before the half-hour mark.

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Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures to the crowd after winning the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Portugal and Denmark, at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca, File)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr is chasing silverware in the Asian Champions League Elite

Ronaldo scores and leads Al-Nassr into AFC Champions Elite semifinals

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after he fails to score with a penalty during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Portugal and Denmark, at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Ronaldo is rested and returning his attention to an Asian Champions League title

Soon after, Ronaldo headed against the woodwork but it was Kawasaki which scored next, restoring its lead three minutes before the break through Yuto Ozeki.

Al-Nassr continued to attack but fell further behind after 76 minutes when Akihiro Ienaga scored from close range.

Ayman Yahya cut the margin for Al-Nassr with three minutes remaining but despite Ronaldo and Jhon Duran — signed for over $100 million from English Premier League club Aston Villa in January — going close, the Riyadh club couldn’t get the equalizer.

In the quarterfinals last weekend, Ronaldo scored in Al-Nassr’s comfortable win over Yokohama.

Two-time finalist Al-Ahli reached the fina l by beating fellow Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal 3-1 on Tuesday.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer