Beating Ronaldo 'felt like a video game', says Kawasaki forward Ito

Beating Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals "felt like a video game" to Kawasaki Frontale forward Tatsuya Ito.

Ito scored Kawasaki's opening goal as they stunned the Saudi Pro League side with a 3-2 victory in Jeddah, teeing up a final showdown with Al-Ahli on Saturday.

Sadio Mane cancelled out Ito's strike, but Yuto Ozeki and Akihiro Ienaga scored either side of half-time to put Kawasaki 3-1 up, and they held on after Ayman Yahya ensured a tense finale.

Kawasaki have become the fifth Japanese team to reach the final of the competition, after three-time champions Urawa Red Diamonds, Gamba Osaka, Kashima Antlers and Yokohama Marinos.

Their triumph means a Japanese club has reached the final in the last three editions, but regardless of Saturday's result, beating Ronaldo will live long in the memory for Ito.

"Al-Nassr have Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and such big names, and in that game at some moments there were difficulties for us to play against them," the former Japan youth international said.

"They were attacking well but I was happy to be on the pitch with them tonight.

"There were some big names playing here. Before we went on the pitch, they were next to me. It felt like it was a video game!"

Sitting eight points adrift of Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Ittihad with just five games remaining, Al-Nassr are almost certain to endure another trophyless season.

Ronaldo, who has yet to win a major honour since moving to Saudi Arabia in 2023, took to X after the game, writing: "Sometimes the dream has to wait.

"I'm proud of this team and everything we gave on the pitch. Thank you to all the fans who believed in us and stood by us every step of the way. Your support means the world."

Sometimes the dream has to wait. I’m proud of this team and everything we gave on the pitch. Thank you to all the fans who believed in us and stood by us every step of the way. Your support means the world. pic.twitter.com/sLP6k4ihrH
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) April 30, 2025

Head coach Stefano Pioli, meanwhile, blamed individual errors for Al-Nassr's defeat as he defended his tactical approach to the game.

"We made a lot of mistakes and this has cost us the match," said Pioli. "It is always very difficult to lose in a semi-final.

"Our opponent surprised us, they played at a very high level and the problem was that we were not disciplined. We committed a lot of mistakes and we didn't play at our full capacity.

"I understand the criticism of the tactics and at this kind of level, we knew the style of our opponent, but we were not good at applying the tactics and the style we trained on.

"We played the same style, we were no different than in the previous match. We didn't do anything different. This is the reality. It's difficult for everybody."