The loss means Kawasaki Frontale will now face another Saudi Arabian team, Al-Ahli, in Saturday's final. Both clubs will be vying for their maiden continental crown, promising a high-stakes encounter. Al-Ahli secured their place in the final with an impressive 3-1 victory over fellow Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal on Tuesday.
The semifinal at Al-Nassr's home ground sprung into action early, with Kawasaki Frontale taking the lead in the 10th minute through a spectacular volley from Tatsuya Ito. However, Al-Nassr responded just before the half-hour mark when former Liverpool star Sadio Mane found the equalizer, making it 1-1.
Moments later, Ronaldo came close to putting his side ahead, heading the ball against the woodwork. But it was Kawasaki who regained the advantage before the break, with Yuto Ozeki scoring three minutes before halftime to make it 2-1.
Despite Al-Nassr's persistent attacks in the second half, they found themselves further behind in the 76th minute when Akihiro Ienaga scored from close range for Kawasaki, extending their lead to 3-1.
Al-Nassr managed to pull a goal back with just three minutes remaining, courtesy of Ayman Yahya. In a frantic final few moments, both Ronaldo and January signing Jhon Duran, who arrived from Aston Villa for a substantial fee, had chances to level the score, but Kawasaki held firm to secure a memorable victory and a place in their first-ever Asian Champions League final.
The defeat marks another setback in Cristiano Ronaldo's pursuit of major silverware since his move to Saudi Arabian football. While his individual brilliance remains evident, Al-Nassr will need to regroup and address their defensive vulnerabilities as they look towards future competitions. For Kawasaki Frontale, this victory is a historic milestone, setting up an intriguing final against Al-Ahli for the coveted continental title.