Historical encounters between Al-Nassr and Al-Ain in the AFC Champions League

Al-Nassr begin their continental campaign with a clash against Al-Ain on Tuesday evening at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, in the first round of the western zone of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026-2027.

The Saudi team enters the match with the ambition of achieving a perfect start, having returned to participate in the tournament after missing the last edition, while Al-Ain appears again in the competition after the same absence.

Al-Nassr are looking to make amends for last season's AFC Champions League final disappointment, relying on the experience of their Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who hopes to lead the team to a different start.

The match has a relatively close history between the two teams, as they have faced each other five times in the AFC Champions League, with Al-Ain winning three matches compared to two victories for Al-Nassr.

The encounters between Al-Nassr and Al-Ain began in 2020, when the Saudi team secured the first match in their favor with a score of 2-1, as part of the group stage.

Al-Ain have asserted their dominance in three subsequent encounters, winning twice 1-0 and clinching one match on penalties 6-5.

The victory came via penalties during the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2024, with the shootout ending 6-5 in favor of the Emirati team.

In their last encounter in the AFC Champions League, Al-Nassr secured a big victory over Al-Ain, scoring five goals to one during the group stage of the 2025 edition.

Al-Nassr are looking to relive their last victory over Al-Ain as they visit them in the opening match of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026-2027, seeking their first three points.