Al Nassr FC began their AFC Champions League 2 campaign with a resounding 5-0 thrashing of FC Istiklol Dushanbe on September 18, 2025, sending a strong message to the rest of the competition. Playing at home, the star-studded Saudi side were utterly dominant from the first whistle, dismantling the Tajik champions with ease. The floodgates opened early, with Al Nassr scoring twice in the opening twenty minutes to settle any nerves. They added a third before halftime and continued their relentless attack in the second half, netting two more to complete a statement victory. The match was as much about Al Nassr's attacking flair as it was about FC Istiklol's defensive capitulation under constant pressure. The comprehensive win immediately put Al Nassr at the summit of the group table with a significant goal difference advantage. The Al Nassr coach expressed satisfaction with his team's intensity and execution in the final third.