Look: Ronaldo scores his first goal of 2024 to give Al Nassr win in AFC Champions League

Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo scored his scored his first goal of 2024 and his fourth in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday as his moment of magic proved decisive in Al Nassr beating Al Fayha 1-0 in an all-Saudi last 16 tie.

At the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, the 39-year-old Portuguese star struggled at first to make much headway against a club sitting 14th in the Saudi Pro League.

Al Fayha have been only one of two teams in the domestic league to prevent Ronaldo from scoring, and that streak looked like stretching to a third match.

Then in the 81st minute, Ronaldo lunged forward and smartly volleyed the ball above the head of the advancing goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic following a quick 1-2 with Marcelo Brozovic.

Ronaldo had earlier missed a much easier chance right on the stroke of half-time, but his weak attempt was saved by Stojkovic.

Ronaldo has now scored a club goal in 23 straight calendar years, going back to 2002. Al-Nassr is looking for a first continental title, with the second leg played next Wednesday.

Ronaldo has now scored a club goal in 23 straight calendar years, going back to 2002. Al-Nassr is looking for a first continental title, with the second leg played next Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia has four teams that reached the knockout round, which is split into two geographic zones until the final. Four-time winner Al Hilal travels to Iran to take on Sepahan on Thursday while Al Ittihad meets Navbahor of Uzbekistan.

The teams meet in the second leg in Riyadh next Wednesday with a quarter-final spot at stake.