al-nassr vs arkadag: Ronaldo Returns as Al Nassr Seek to Close Out Round of 16 Tie
Al Nassr return to Al Awwal Park for the second leg of their AFC Champions League Two Round of 16 tie with Arkadag on Feb. 18, 2026 at 1: 15 PM ET. The Saudi side holds a narrow 1-0 advantage after last week’s first leg, when a rotated Al Nassr XI took a slim lead thanks to Abdullah Al Hamdan. The return of Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the stakes for the visitors.
Team news and recent form
Al Nassr come into the weekend in red-hot form, carrying an eight-game winning streak across all competitions. Over the weekend they beat Al Fateh FC 2-0 on the road in the Saudi Pro League, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Ayman Ahmed on the scoresheet. The club sit second in the domestic table with 52 points from 21 matches, and their attacking options — including Joao Felix, who has 13 goals and seven assists in 21 league appearances this season — pose a significant threat.
Arkadag arrive as a curiosity in continental competition. The Turkmenistani outfit boast a staggeringly dominant domestic record since their founding, claiming 82 straight league wins, but their continental form has been more modest: one victory, four draws and one loss in the group stage. That contrast underlines the step up in quality they face against a star-studded Al Nassr side.
Tactical match-up and likely XI notes
Al Nassr’s selection in the first leg hinted at squad depth; a rotated lineup still edged out Arkadag. The reintroduction of Ronaldo changes the dynamic, shifting defensive attention and creating more space for creative players like Joao Felix and Abdullah Al Hamdan. Expect the hosts to field a stronger starting XI at Al Awwal Park with an attacking shape that prioritizes service for the front three.
Arkadag are likely to shelter deep and aim to frustrate through compact defending and quick transitions. Against superior opposition, their best path to an upset will be disciplined organization, set-piece delivery and exploiting any lapses from a high-pressing Al Nassr. The visitors’ experience of international competition is limited compared with their domestic dominance, so they will need to absorb pressure and look for moments on the break.
Prediction and key things to watch
This tie looks poised to swing in Al Nassr’s favor at home. With the momentum of an unbeaten run and the psychological lift of Ronaldo’s return, the hosts should control large portions of the tie. Arkadag’s resilience and perfect domestic record are impressive, but continental tests against elite individuals and tactical variety are a different proposition.
Predicted score: Al Nassr 2, Arkadag 0 — Al Nassr advance 3-0 on aggregate. The prediction rests on three factors: the home advantage at Al Awwal Park, Al Nassr’s recent winning run and the influence of Cristiano Ronaldo joining the attack. If Arkadag can force set-piece situations or take advantage of any complacency, they remain capable of making life difficult, but the most likely outcome is a controlled Al Nassr win that seals progression.
Key things to monitor: Ronaldo’s starting status and minutes, Joao Felix’s role in linking play, Abdullah Al Hamdan’s service and movement, and how Arkadag handle sustained pressure. Kickoff is on Feb. 18, 2026 at 1: 15 PM ET — the result will settle whether Al Nassr can convert domestic dominance into continental progress or if Arkadag can engineer a shock on the road.
