Nassr’s Four-Goal Blitz: Asian Group Dominance Sealed in Dushanbe

Nassr lineup

Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus made six changes for the match, starting with Bento Matheus in goal and a back line of Sultan Al-Ghannam, Abdullah Al-Omari, Mohammed Simaakan, and Al-Najdi. The midfield featured Ali Al-Hassan, Angelino, and Marcelo Brozovic, while the attack lined up with Mohammed Moran, Joao Felix, and Wesley. On the bench were Ragd Al-Najjar, Mubarak Al-Buayinine, Inigo Martinez, Nader Al-Sharari, Awwad Aman, Nawaf Bushl, Ayman Yahya, Abdullah Al-Khibrri, Saad Haqi, Haroun Kamara, and Sadio Mane.

The pace and control

From the opening whistle, Nassr dictated the tempo. In the 5th minute Joao Felix nearly opened the scoring, and in the 10th Nassr were awarded a penalty which Felix converted to give the visitors the lead. Nassr pressed on, with a later effort from Angelino hitting the post as the team poured forward in waves.

Istiklol created their best moment in the 27th minute, but Bento Matheus saved the attempt, and a quick Nassr counter led to another Félix shot that went over the bar. In the 40th minute Mohammed Simaakan rose highest to head in a precise cross from Ali Al-Hassan, doubling the advantage to 2-0 and signaling a dominant first half for the Saudi side. A late push from the hosts produced moments of threat, but no further goals before the break.

Second-half changes and late flourishes

The second half saw Nassr manage the game with discipline, making strategic substitutions to refresh the attack. Mane, Inigo Martinez, and Abdullah Al-Khibrri joined for Al-Hassan, Simaakan, and Moran to inject pace and variety. Istiklol continued to chase a lifeline, with Rostam Suirrov prompting a save from Matheus in the 65th minute.

In the 73rd minute Mane found Félix on a sweeping move, but the Argentine-born forward’s effort was saved. A later surge in the 78th minute saw Abdullah Al-Khibri beat two defenders and lay off for Félix, who fired narrowly wide. The 84th minute produced Nassr’s third as Félix threaded a perfect pass to Mane, who finished clinically. The scoring was completed in stoppage time when Angelo Gabriel released a ball to Ayman Yahya outside the box; Yahya drilled it into the bottom corner for 4-0.

The match concluded with Nassr’s attackers picking apart the defense and a stout rearguard effort nullifying Istiklol’s best efforts. Punchline time: if football were a luxury, Nassr just booked a first-class suite with a four-goal minibar. Punchline 2: In this group, Nassr brought the heavy artillery and left Istiklol to admire the fireworks from the corner of the stadium.