Sadio Mane somehow escaped a red card after grabbing an opponent by his throat in Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League loss to Al Ain.
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Mane luckily escaped red cardGrabbed opponent by his throatAl-Nassr crashed out of AFC Champions LeagueWHAT HAPPENED?
The former Liverpool star was only shown a yellow card after angrily grabbing Al-Ain defender Saeed Juma's throat in a heated moment during the AFC Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash between Al-Nassr and the Abu Dhabi-based club. Al Ain manager and legendary Argentine footballer Hernan Crespo strongly protested for a red from the touchline, but Mane was allowed to stay on the pitch.
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The Saudi Pro League side needed to overturn a 1-0 deficit, but they conceded two more goals before Abdulrahman Ghareeb pulled one back towards the end of the first half. In the second half, the match took a dramatic turn as Khalid Eisa's own goal and Alex Telles' strike helped Al-Nassr equalise. Sultan Al-Shamsi restored the UAE club's aggregate lead in the 103rd minute, but Cristiano Ronaldo made sure the match went to a shootout after converting a last-gasp penalty. In the penalty shootout, Crespo's side clinched the tie 3-1 to qualify for the semi-final.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?
Al-Nassr will be next seen in action on March 15 against Al-Ahli in a crucial league clash. Ronaldo and Co can't afford to lose any more ground on Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal, who currently sit 12 points clear at the top of the table.