Al-Nassr FC players (in yellow kit) in action during their AFC Champions League game against Esteghlal. Photo: X/AlNassrFC_EN Al-Nassr FC players (in yellow kit) in action during their AFC Champions League game against Esteghlal. Photo: X/AlNassrFC_EN

Cristiano Ronaldo was absent as Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia and Esteghlal of Iran drew 0-0 in the first leg of the AFC Champions League Elite second round on Monday. (More Football News)80win

w1-coroapg

It was a frustrating evening in Tehran for Al-Nassr without the 40-year-old Ronaldo, who has collected five UEFA Champions League titles with Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Football Transfers: Jhon Duran Seals Al-Nassr Move From Aston Villa, Signs Five-Year Deal

He will replace Gautam Gambhir, who has taken the job of India national cricket team's head coach. Gambhir rejoined KKR in IPL 2024 as a mentor and helped them win the trophy after a wait of 10 years.

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja,9x999 Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

BY Stats Perform

Jhon Duran, signed from Aston Villa in January, came closest to scoring and former Liverpool star Sadio Mane had chances but Esteghlal goalkeeper Seyed Hossein Hosseini was in fine form.

“I am satisfied with the performance of the players,” Al-Nassr coach Stefano Pioli said. “It is important to remember that there is another game.”

The return match takes place in Riyadh on March 11, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals.

Elsewhere80win, Al-Wasl of the United Arab Emirates drew with Al-Sadd of Qatar 1-1.