Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League Elite game in Riyadh delayed an hour after missile threat; hosts win 3-1

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr saw their AFC Champions League Elite fixture against Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Fergana in Riyadh delayed by an hour on Monday after a security alert over a missile threat, and the match eventually went ahead at Al-Awwal Park with Al-Nassr winning 3-1 and Ronaldo scoring before half-time.

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a safety warning around 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the game, amid missile attacks claimed by Yemen-based Houthi rebels in recent days. The Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh on Monday, and at least three explosions were heard in the city that evening. The alert disrupted preparations at Al-Awwal Park and left a sparse crowd in the stands as the teams waited to know whether the fixture would proceed. Civil Defence subsequently announced that the danger had passed, allowing the fixture to begin after the hour-long delay.

Angelo Gabriel opened the scoring for Al-Nassr in the 33rd minute with a deflected strike. Ronaldo then doubled the hosts’ lead nine minutes later, striking before the break to give Al-Nassr a two-goal cushion. The move that led to Ronaldo’s goal involved two teammates: Sadio Mane delivered a looping cross from the left and Aiman Yahya directed the ball into Ronaldo’s path with his chest. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward struck on the turn, sending the ball into the bottom corner.

Neftchi Fergana responded six minutes into the second half when Alisher Odilov pulled one back to give the visitors a route back into the contest. Their task became more difficult when Ikromjon Alibaev was sent off in the 65th minute for a foul on Mohamed Simakan.

Al-Nassr made their numerical advantage count late in the match, sealing the 3-1 victory in the 78th minute when Neftchi defender Anvarjon Gofurov scored an own goal. The scoreline completed a positive result for the hosts on a night when the security alert had threatened to overshadow the fixture.

The victory gave Al-Nassr a positive start to their continental campaign in the AFC Champions League Elite.