Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr will look to make it two wins out of two in AFC Champions League Group E against Istiklol.
An own goal from Danial Esmaeilifar and a Mohammed Qassem finish in the second half secured a 2-0 win on the road against two-time winners Persepolis for Luis Castro’s side in their opening match.
That triumph was part of an ongoing nine-game winning streak for Al Nassr, but Istiklol have also impressed in 2023 and entered the championship round of their domestic league competition in Tajikistan as the top side during the regular season.
Ronaldo struck a late penalty in a 2-1 Saudi Pro League win at Al Ta’ee last time out on September 29, and Castro’s side may well need their talisman in form if they are to continue their strong run of results.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of the game, including how to watch it across the world, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
MORE: How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored at Al Nassr this season?
What time does Al Nassr vs Istiklol kick off?
This AFC Champions League clash takes place at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and kicks off on Monday, October 2 at 9 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Mon Oct. 2 | 2:00 p.m. ET |
| Canada | Mon Oct. 2 | 2:00 p.m. ET |
| UK | Mon Oct. 2 | 7:00 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Tue Oct. 3 | 5:00 a.m. AEST |
| India | Mon Oct. 2 | 11:30 p.m. IST |
| Hong Kong | Tue Oct. 3 | 2:00 a.m. HKT |
| Malaysia | Tue Oct. 3 | 2:00 a.m. MYT |
| Singapore | Tue Oct. 3 | 2:00 a.m. SGT |
| New Zealand | Tue Oct. 3 | 7:00 a.m. NZDT |
MORE: AFC Champions League 2023/24: Fixtures, results, schedule, teams, prize money
Al Nassr vs Istiklol live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch the AFC Champions League group match in selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | Paramount+ |
| Canada | — |
— |
| UK | — | — |
| Australia | — | Paramount+ |
| India | — | FanCode |
| Hong Kong | — | — |
| Malaysia | Astro SuperSport 2 | Astro Go, sooka |
| Singapore | — | — |
| New Zealand | — | — |
UK: The AFC Champions League does not have a broadcast deal in the United Kingdom.
USA: This game is available to stream on Paramount+.
Australia: Paramount+ also has the rights to all Ronaldo’s AFC Champions League outings in Australia.
India: Streaming platform FanCode will show the match in India.
MORE: How to watch Saudi Pro League in USA | How to watch in UK
Al Nassr vs Istiklol lineups, team news
Summer signing Seko Fofana is pushing for a place in midfield after returning from injury with a pair of substitute appearances. Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina (elbow) remains a long-term absentee.
Al Nassr projected lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Alaqidi (GK) — Al Ghannam, Lajami, Laporte, Telles — Al Khaibari, Brozovic — Talisca, Otavio, Mane — Ronaldo.
Striker Manuchekhr Dzhalilov remains a key injury absence for Istiklol. Senin Sebai and Amadoni Kamolov are likely to start in attack in his absence.
Istiklol projected lineup (5-3-2, right to left): Yatimov (GK) — Nasrullozoda, Kartashyan, Gogoua, Novoselec, Islomov — Kurbonov, A. Dzhalilov, Beganovic — Sebai, Kamolov
Al Nassr vs Istiklol prediction
Istiklol’s transition from their domestic regular to postseason means they have been short of competitive football since an opening goalless AFC Champions League draw against Al-Duhail.
It means the group outsiders are in the thankless position of facing a talent-stacked side enjoying the rhythm of regular successful outings. Istiklol will dig in with their five-man backline but expect Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and the rest to enjoy themselves in due course.
Prediction: Al Nassr 3-0 Istiklol