Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated with a Saudi scarf after scoring during Al-Nassr’s 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan’s Neftchi in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday. The match, held at Al-Awwal Park, faced a significant interruption when Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a safety warning 15 minutes before the scheduled kick-off, as the city faced potential aerial threats. At least three explosions could be heard Monday night in the city. According to residents of Riyadh, Several powerful explosions on Monday night, moments after a text message to their phones warned of an aerial threat.
The Saudi-led coalition reported that its forces successfully intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by Houthi rebels toward Riyadh on Monday. These events followed a string of recent attacks, including a strike on Saturday that reportedly killed at least 13 people and injured over 300, and a Sunday incident that resulted in one death and 11 injuries. The Houthis, based in Yemen, stated that their target was King Khalid International Airport, which remains closed. According to the Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting in Yemen, Its forces intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis towards Riyadh, as the city reeled from attacks that have killed at least 14 people in recent days.
Despite the hour-long delay, which forced players to remain in their dressing rooms while the crowd waited at the stadium, the game proceeded once officials confirmed the danger had passed. Ange Postecoglou’s Al-Nassr side broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute through a deflected strike by Angelo. Ronaldo extended the lead nine minutes later, latching onto a looping cross from Sadio Mane that had been chest-controlled into his path by Aiman Yahya, and striking the ball into the corner on the turn. And the Portuguese forward lashed the ball into the bottom corner with a shot on the turn, the 41-year-old struck after Sadio Mane delivered a looping cross from the left that Aiman Yahya directed into Ronaldo’s path with his chest.
Neftchi’s Alisher Odilov reduced the deficit early in the second half, but the visitors struggled after Ikromjon Alibaev received a red card for a foul on Mohamed Simakan in the 65th minute. An own goal by Anvarjon Gofurov late in the game cemented the win for the hosts. Following the final whistle, Ronaldo waved a green Saudi scarf provided by a supporter before draping it around his neck to acknowledge the home fans.
In other AFC Champions League action, defending champions Al-Ahli secured a 3-1 victory over the UAE’s Al-Wasl. Roger Ibanez opened the scoring for Al-Ahli, and despite an equalizer from Pedro Malheiro, second-half goals from Trincao and Feras Al-Brikan ensured the win. Trincao noted that physical improvements in the second half were crucial to changing the game’s outcome. Meanwhile, defending champions Al-Ahli scored twice in the second half to pick up their first win of the new campaign as Marino Pusic’s side beat Al-Wasl from the United Arab Emirates 3-1. According to “We created also in the first half, but in the second half we made our goals, and I think that was the difference,”, Trincao. “Physically we were a little bit better, and that was the key to changing the game.”.
Elsewhere, Al-Ain defeated the Air Force Club 4-1 in Basra, powered by two goals from Houssine Rahimi. Iran’s Esteghlal also claimed a 2-1 win over Al-Gharafa thanks to a 60th-minute goal from Hossein Goudarzi. Meanwhile, Al-Qadsiah drew 1-1 with Pakhtakor after a late penalty, and Iran’s Tractor played out a scoreless draw against Qatar’s Al-Shamal. The top eight teams from the 16-side league phase in both West and East Asia will advance to the knockout stages. While Tractor from Iran were held to a 0-0 draw by Qatar’s Al-Shamal, a last-minute penalty from Dostonbek Khamdamov salvaged a 1-1 draw for Pakhtakor against Brendan Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiah in Tashkent.
