Al Nassr get their 2023/24 AFC Champions League campaign underway with a trip to Iran to face Persepolis.
On the back reaching the semifinals in 2022, Al Nassr did not qualify for the competition last season, and they needed a playoff win over Shabab Al-Ahli to clinch a group stage spot.
After losing their first two matches of the Saudi Pro League season, Luis Castro’s side have improved in recent weeks, with four successive league wins and seven goals for Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Sporting News is following this Persepolis vs. Al Nassr AFC Champions League match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen below.
Persepolis vs Al Nassr live score
Live Score | Goalscorers | |
Persepolis | – | – |
Al Nassr | – | – |
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Persepolis vs Al Nassr live updates, highlights, commentary
12 mins: A half chance for Al Nassr as Sultan Al-Ghannam’s cross is touched wide by Sadio Mane but the poor playing surface is really impacting any chance of a smooth game.
10 mins: A low key opening which reflects the empty stands here at the Azadi Stadium with Persepolis forced into an early change with Shahab Zahedi on for the injured Mehdi Torabi.
KICK OFF: PERSEPOLIS VS AL NASSR IS UNDERWAY!
⏳ || Kickoff,@AlNassrFC vs #Persepolis#AlNassrPersepolis pic.twitter.com/SjJQxSu2rE
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) September 19, 2023
10 mins to KO: Beiranvand vs Ronaldo II
Ronaldo will renew acquaintances with Iranian goal keeper Alireza Beiranvand who famously saved his penalty in the 2018 World Cup for Portugal.
📋 LINE UPS | 🇮🇷 Persepolis 🆚 Al Nassr 🇸🇦
🇵🇹 @Cristiano captains his side at Azadi Stadium. Can he find a way past Alireza Beiranvand this time?
Watch Live 📺 https://t.co/sMjqIhGRzh #ACL | #PRSvNSR pic.twitter.com/JD6PaPS5Sf
— #ACL (@TheAFCCL) September 19, 2023
30 mins to KO: The Al Nassr squad making themselves at home ahead of their 2023/24 AFC Champions League group stage campaign kickoff in Iran.
Azadi Stadium 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/VKSKHrG8RH
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) September 19, 2023
1 hour to KO: TEAM NEWS IS IN!
Two changes for Al Nassr, both coming in defence, as Alex Telles and Ali Lajami are replaced by Abdulelah Al-Amri and Mohammed Qassem.
🗒 || Starting lineup,@AlNassrFC vs #Persepolis#AlNassrPersepolis pic.twitter.com/Gpir6Bir35
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) September 19, 2023
1 hour 30 mins to KO: Al Nassr have arrived in Tehran…..team news dropping soon.
We’re off to the stadium 🙌💛 pic.twitter.com/YvqmG7Smbk
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) September 19, 2023
2 hours to KO: Welcome to the Sporting News’ live coverage as Al Nassr return to the AFC Champions League for the first time since the Saudi Pro League’s superstar revolution. As expected, Ronaldo mania has arrived in Iran!
Just look at the scenes as @AlNassrFC_EN and @Cristiano arrived in 🇮🇷 ahead of their opening AFC Champions League game against Persepolis! 🔥
🎥 @beINSPORTSNews #beINACL #ACL2023 pic.twitter.com/bM1iCWPOLZ
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) September 18, 2023
Persepolis vs Al Nassr lineups, team news
Persepolis’ squad is made up almost entirely of Iranian players, with Mehdi Torabi the key player in attack for the home side.
Persepolis lineup (4-5-1): Beiranvand (GK) — Esmaeilifar, Kanaanizadegan, Pouraliganji, Nemati — Sadeghi, Amiri, Rigi, Sarlak, Torabi — Omri
Al Nassr have started to hit some strong form in September and Castro makes two changes with recalls for Al-Amri and Qassem, with Ronaldo flanked by Sadio Mane, Otavio and Abdulrahman Ghareeb in attack.
Al Nassr lineup (4-2-3-1): Alaqidi (GK) — Al-Ghannam, Al-Amri, Laporte, Qassem — Al-Khaibari, Brozovic — Mane, Otavio, Ghareeb — Ronaldo
How to watch Persepolis vs Al Nassr
TV channel | Streaming | |
---|---|---|
USA | — | Paramount+ |
Canada | — | — |
UK | — | — |
Australia | — | Paramount + |
India | Sony TEN 2 | FanCode, Sony LIV, JioTV |
Hong Kong | — | — |
Malaysia | Astro SuperSport | Sooka, Astro Go |
Singapore | — | — |
New Zealand | — | — |
MORE: How to watch AFC Champions League in the United States and around the world