Gritty Gaurs Go Down Fighting! Dominant Al Nassr Sink FC Goa 2-1 In AFC Champions League Two Clash

Last Updated:October 22, 2025, 21:45 IST

For FC Goa, it was another night of mixed emotions -- flashes of promise overshadowed by missed opportunities, as the Ronaldo-less Al Nassr secured the 2-1 victory.

The Gaurs fought hard, but just couldn't crawl back into the game, which had swung Al Nassr's way in the first half itself. (Credit: FC Goa/X)

FC Goa’s search for their first points in the AFC Champions League Two continued on Wednesday as they went down 1–2 to Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al Nassr in their third Group A fixture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.

Ronaldo Absence, But Al Nassr Still Shine

In the build-up to the clash, anticipation was high around a possible first-ever India appearance for Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the Portuguese superstar skipped the trip, leaving fans disappointed.

Despite his absence, Al Nassr stamped their authority early and showcased the depth of their squad.

Early Saudi Dominance

The visitors were on the front foot from the opening whistle, taking control of possession and territory. Their dominance was rewarded in the 10th minute, when Angelo Gabriel, the 20-year-old Brazilian winger, unleashed a stunning right-footed strike from outside the box to give Al Nassr the lead.

Al Nassr doubled their advantage in the 27th minute, with Haroune Camara finishing off a well-crafted move. A precise cross from Ayman on the left found Camara, who slotted home through a crowded Goa defense after a spell of sustained Saudi pressure.

Goa Fight Back Through Brison

To their credit, Manolo Márquez’s men didn’t fold.

Super-sub Brison Fernandes, introduced midway through the first half, gave the home fans a glimmer of hope. In the 41st minute, the young midfielder latched onto a through ball from Borja Fernández, beat his marker, and coolly finished past the Al Nassr goalkeeper to make it 2–1 before halftime.

The goal energised the Gaurs, who came out after the break with renewed intensity and greater defensive discipline.

Resilient Second Half, But Luck Runs Out

Goa’s backline, marshalled by Pol Moreno, held firm against Al Nassr’s star-studded attack, which later included the introductions of Sadio Mané and João Félix. Despite several promising transitions, Goa struggled to create clear-cut chances in the final third.

Their hopes of a late equaliser were dashed when David Timor was shown a straight red card late in the game for a rash challenge, reducing the hosts to ten men and effectively ending their comeback bid.

Group Standings and Outlook

With this win, Al Nassr maintained their perfect record in the group, sitting comfortably atop Group D with eight points.

FC Goa, on the other hand, remain bottom of the table after three consecutive defeats.

(with PTI inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

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