Cristiano Ronaldo scored the second goal in Al Nassr’s 3-1 AFC Champions League win over Neftchi Fergana, a match delayed by an hour due to a missile alert in Riyadh. The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels, prompting safety measures at the stadium.
Ronaldo’s 981st career goal came just before halftime, securing a crucial victory for Al Nassr in their Asian campaign. The match, delayed by an hour after Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense issued a security alert, saw the Portugal star celebrate his goal with a symbolic gesture toward Saudi Arabia, highlighting his growing ties to the country.
Match Delay and Missile Alert
The game at Al-Awwal Park faced a one-hour postponement after the Saudi-led military coalition intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels toward Riyadh. Residents received alerts urging them to stay indoors, with explosions heard in the capital. The stadium announcer confirmed the situation was safe, but the delay highlighted the region's ongoing tensions. The match, scheduled for 9:15pm local time, was delayed after a television channel announced the postponement. The coalition later stated it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis.
The incident did not disrupt Ronaldo’s performance. The 41-year-old forward netted his 134th goal for Al Nassr since joining in January 2023, doubling the lead just before half-time. The win marked the first for head coach Ange Postecoglou and Al Nassr in Asia’s premier club competition after a 4-0 loss to Al Ain on September 15. Al Nassr’s victory came amid recent Houthis attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport that killed at least 13 people and wounded over 300, according to reports.
Al Nassr led 3-1 after Ângelo Gabriel opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, followed by Ronaldo’s 42nd-minute goal. Neftchi cut the lead with a goal from Alisher Odilov in the second half, but an own goal by defender Buyan Siger restored Al Nassr’s two-goal advantage. The win gave Al Nassr three points in the group stage, with the team aiming to build on the result in upcoming matches.
Ronaldo’s Gesture and Disciplinary Issues
Following the victory, Ronaldo made a notable gesture toward Saudi Arabia, kissing the Saudi flag on his jersey before the match and later draping a Saudi scarf over his shoulders during celebrations. The act coincided with recent regional tensions, emphasizing his alignment with the kingdom despite broader geopolitical challenges. The gesture was highlighted in a video titled A goal, an offside and a clash,
which captured the moment.
Injuries After Victory
Al Nassr’s victory was not without setbacks. Mohamed Simakan was forced off after picking up an injury from a tackle that earned Nefchi player a red card. Coman also suffered an injury early in the first half. Medical evaluations are pending, but the team aims to build on this win to strengthen their Asian campaign. The result moves them to three points in the group stage, setting up a critical next phase of the competition.
The win marked a turning point for Al Nassr, which had struggled in the tournament after a 4-0 loss to Al Ain. Ronaldo’s performance, despite the match’s challenges, reinforced his role as a key figure for the club. The team’s next game is scheduled for a later date, with the AFC Champions League Elite group stage continuing to shape the club’s season.