Tuesday’s Asian Champions League opener saw Al-Nassr, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, defeat Persepolis 2-0 in Tehran’s empty Azadi Stadium.

Thanks to their numerical advantage over the 10-man Iranians.

Amid a skirmish in the middle of the pitch, Milad Sarlak of the hosts was sent off seven minutes into the second half for stepping on Cristiano Ronaldo’s foot.

Read Also:Togo Player Kodjo Stars In Al Ain Asian Champions League Win

After releasing Marcelo Brozovic into the penalty area ten minutes later, the hosts were finally broken down, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb scored the game’s first goal on a deflected shot from the Croatian’s cutback.

In the 72nd minute of the Group E match, Mohammed Qassem increased Al-Nassr’s advantage by slamming a shot from a tight angle on the left into Alireza Beiranvand’s net to secure the victory.

A ban put on Persepolis by the Asian Football Confederation two years ago was enforced, preventing thousands of fans who had followed Ronaldo since his arrival in Tehran from attending, therefore the match was played in an empty Azadi Stadium.

Al-Nassr’s victory puts them in first place in their group, two points ahead of Hernan Crespo’s Al-Duhail, who were held to a 0-0 stalemate by FC Istiklol of Tajikistan in Dushanbe.