Goa, Oct. 22 -- Nothing dampened the carnival atmosphere, although megastar Cristiano Ronaldo was absent. That didn't make life any easier for FC Goa as they faced Saudi giants Al Nassr in their third Group A AFC Champions League Two match in Margao. Al Nassr started aggressively, keeping FC Goa on the back foot. The deadlock was broken in the 10th minute by Angelo Gabriel, giving the visitors the lead.

The Nehru Stadium was a sea of orange and blue well before kickoff, with fans in jerseys, waving flags, and chanting in unison. The atmosphere hit fever pitch as both team buses rolled in, greeted by coloured powder, cheers, and glimpses of global stars. Margao's floodlights set the stage for a thrilling clash, reflecting the city's footb...