CR7-Less Cruise? Al Nassr Takes on Istiklol in AFC Champions League Two Showdown (Matchday 5)

Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, FC Istiklol, AFC Champions League Two, ACL 2, Al Nassr Lineup, Istiklol vs Al Nassr Live Score, ACL 2 Matchday 5, Saudi Pro League

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The Sultan of Stars Sidelined: Is Cristiano Ronaldo Playing Today?

​The burning question on every football fan's mind: Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Al Nassr against FC Istiklol today?
​The definitive answer, as of the latest squad reports for the Matchday 5 fixture in the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two, is No, Cristiano Ronaldo has been rested and is not in the travelling squad.
​Al Nassr coach, Jorge Jesus, has made the strategic decision to omit the veteran superstar from the away trip to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. This continues a pattern for Al Nassr's ACL 2 campaign, as Ronaldo has yet to feature in any of the group stage matches this season.
​His absence is a calculated move, allowing the 40-year-old icon to recuperate following an intense domestic schedule, which included a viral, spectacular bicycle-kick goal in the recent Saudi Pro League win. With Al Nassr already sitting comfortably atop Group D with a perfect record and qualification essentially secured, Jesus is prioritizing squad rotation and the long-term fitness of his star player for the upcoming knockout stages.

Matchday 5 Showdown: Istiklol vs Al Nassr Overview

​FC Istiklol (Tajikistan) vs Al Nassr FC (Saudi Arabia)
  • Competition: 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two (ACL 2) - Group D
  • ​Stage: Matchday 5 (Group Stage)
  • ​Venue: Central Stadium, Hisor, Tajikistan
  • ​Kick-off: Wednesday, November 26, 2025 (7:15 PM IST / 1:45 PM GMT)
  • ​Current Live Score: (This section will be updated live - Search results currently show the match is in progress or about to start)
​This fixture pits the group leaders, Al Nassr, against a resilient Istiklol side fighting for the second qualification spot. The reverse fixture saw Al Nassr dominate Istiklol with a crushing 5-0 victory, showcasing the Saudi club's immense squad depth, even without their Portuguese talisman.

​📊 Group D Standings (Ahead of Matchday 5)Rank Team P W D L Pts Form

1 Al Nassr  W W W W
2 Al Zawraa L W L W
3 FC Istiklol  L W W L
4 FC Goa  L L L L 

Confirmed Lineups & Injury News: Depth vs. Determination

​Despite resting Ronaldo, Al Nassr's starting XI for the away trip is still formidable, highlighting the exceptional quality in their squad.

​Al Nassr Starting XI (Predicted/Confirmed Strong Lineup)



​Coach Jorge Jesus is expected to rotate heavily but maintain a lethal attack. Key players like Sadio Mané and Marcelo Brozovic are often either rested or start on the bench in ACL 2 fixtures, but the team's rotation has proven successful.
  • ​Key Absences: Cristiano Ronaldo (Rest), Kingsley Coman (Rest/Rehab), Nawaf Al-Aqidi (Goalkeeper - Rest).
  • ​Players to Watch: Expect stars like Joao Félix, Wesley Gassova, and striker Angelo to lead the line and leverage their pace and finishing ability.

​FC Istiklol Starting XI

​Istiklol, playing at home, will rely on their core strength and domestic stars to pull off an upset. They need a result to stay ahead in the race for the runner-up spot.
  • ​Key Players: Midfielder Amirbek Dzhuraboev will be crucial in breaking up Al Nassr's play and initiating counter-attacks. They are expected to field their strongest available side.
  • ​Injury Report: FC Istiklol is reported to have a fully fit squad.

​🔑 The Unique Analysis & SEO Strategy

​The Al Nassr Strategy: 'Managing The GOAT'

​Al Nassr's campaign in the ACL 2 is a masterclass in modern squad management. The club is successfully navigating both a demanding domestic league and a continental tournament by strategically resting their highest-profile, and oldest, star. This allows the club's incredible investment in youth and secondary world-class talent—like João Félix and Wesley—to shine, proving their squad depth is a continental force even without CR7.
  • ​Search Engine Hook: The persistent question "Is Ronaldo playing?" is a massive traffic driver. Acknowledging and explaining the reason for his absence (rest for knockout stages) provides immediate value to the user while shifting focus to the strength of the team without him.

​Istiklol's Blueprint: The Underdog Factor

​For Istiklol, this is a monumental opportunity. A positive result against the group leaders at home would not only solidify their qualification chances but also send a statement across Asian football. Their success hinges on defensive discipline and clinical counter-attacking, leveraging the high press of the Saudi giants.
  • ​Engagement Angle: Highlighting the "David vs. Goliath" narrative with Al Nassr as the clear favorite creates emotional investment for the reader.

​🔮 Prediction

​Given Al Nassr's perfect record and the sheer depth of their talent, they remain the favorites, even with heavy rotation. Istiklol's home advantage will make them stubborn, but the Saudi side's attacking firepower should ultimately prevail.
​Predicted Score: Istiklol 1 - 3 Al Nassr



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