Persepolis vs Al Nassr live score, result, updates, highlights as Ronaldo makes AFC Champions League debut

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

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Persepolis
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Al Nassr
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Persepolis vs Al Nassr live updates, highlights, commentary

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!

— 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