Joao Felix stars as Al Nassr thrash Pakhtakor 6-2 in AFC Champions League Elite

Joao Felix scored twice and created two more goals as Al Nassr secured a commanding 6-2 victory away to Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor in the fourth round of the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday.

The Portuguese forward led an outstanding attacking display in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, helping Al Nassr claim their second win in the competition and move on to six points.

Al Nassr had been seeking a second continental victory after their match against the United Arab Emirates’ Al Wasl was postponed. They made their attacking advantage count with six goals from several players, although Felix was the main influence throughout the match.

He set up the opening goal in the 15th minute with an excellent pass to Abdullah Al-Hamdan, who finished with a powerful strike. Felix then doubled the lead just two minutes later, beating the Pakhtakor defence inside the penalty area before placing the ball into the net.

The 25-year-old completed his brace in the 32nd minute. Sadio Mane provided the assist, allowing Felix to finish another attack and put Al Nassr firmly in control.

Felix was involved again eight minutes after half-time. His accurate corner was met by Abdulilah Al-Amri, whose header found the net in the 53rd minute to make it 4-0.

Al Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou made several changes during the second half, and substitute Abdulrahman Ghareeb added a fifth goal in the 62nd minute. He received the ball from Mane before extending the visitors’ advantage.

Pakhtakor scored twice, but Al Nassr continued to threaten and restored their five-goal cushion in the 79th minute. Angelo Gabriel completed the scoring after Abdullah Al-Hamdan produced an impressive individual move and created the opportunity.

The result continued Felix’s remarkable run of attacking contributions. He now has eight in his past two matches, having provided four assists in Al Nassr’s victory over Al Kholood in round 12 of the Saudi Pro League before scoring twice and creating two goals against Pakhtakor.

It is the second consecutive time Felix has recorded four goal contributions in two successive matches, and the fourth such sequence of his professional career.

The victory gives Al Nassr an important boost in their AFC Champions League Elite campaign, while Felix’s latest performance further underlined his importance as one of the key attacking players in Postecoglou’s side.