Cristiano Ronaldo Scores in Al-Nassr Victory Following Security Delay in Riyadh

Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a key performance for Al-Nassr on Monday, scoring the team's second goal in a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan’s Neftchi in the AFC Champions League Elite. The match, held at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, was preceded by a tense hour-long delay after a security warning was issued by Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence. The alert, sent to residents via mobile phones approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled kick-off, came amid reports of aerial threats in the region.The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen reported that its forces intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by Houthi rebels toward the capital on Monday night. Residents in Riyadh described hearing several powerful explosions shortly after the safety warnings were disseminated. The Houthi group, which controls significant areas of Yemen, claimed that the intended target for their launch was King Khalid International Airport. The city has faced heightened tension recently, following a series of attacks over the weekend that resulted in at least 14 fatalities, according to officials.Despite the uncertainty surrounding the security situation, the match eventually commenced at Al-Awwal Park after authorities indicated the immediate danger had passed. Al-Nassr broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Angelo scored following a deflected strike. Ronaldo extended the lead just nine minutes later, latching onto a cross from Sadio Mane that had been directed into his path by Aiman Yahya. The Portuguese forward finished the play with a clinical strike into the bottom corner.The visitors, Neftchi, managed to narrow the gap early in the second half through a goal by Alisher Odilov in the 51st minute. However, the momentum shifted back to the hosts following a red card issued to Ikromjon Alibaev in the 65th minute for a foul on Mohamed Simakan. Al-Nassr solidified their win shortly after when Anvarjon Gofurov conceded an own goal, sealing the 3-1 result for the Saudi Pro League champions.Following the final whistle, the atmosphere turned celebratory as Ronaldo and his teammates approached the home supporters. During the post-match walk around the pitch, a spectator handed a green Saudi scarf to the captain. Ronaldo acknowledged the gesture by waving the scarf before draping it around his neck, a moment that caught the attention of the stadium crowd after the earlier security-related interruptions.The tournament, which features a 16-team league phase, will see the top eight finishers from both East and West Asia advance to the knockout rounds. The win for Al-Nassr provides a boost to their campaign in the competition. Elsewhere in the AFC Champions League, other teams were also in action on Monday, with defending champions Al-Ahli securing a 3-1 victory over UAE’s Al-Wasl. Other results included a 4-1 win for Al-Ain against Air Force Club and a narrow 2-1 victory for Iran’s Esteghlal over Al-Gharafa.As the regional situation remains fluid, the focus in Riyadh is expected to remain on safety protocols following the recent spike in ballistic missile activity. King Khalid International Airport has faced operational challenges, with the facility remaining closed after a weekend attack by Houthi rebels. Local authorities continue to monitor the security environment as teams prepare for their upcoming fixtures in the regional club tournament.