Cristiano Ronaldo scored Al-Nassr’s second goal in a 3-1 AFC Champions League Elite win over Uzbekistan’s Neftchi on Monday, then waved a green Saudi scarf to the fans after a long security delay in Riyadh. The Saudi Pro League champions played at Al-Awwal Park, but kick-off had been pushed back because of a warning about possible missile attacks from Yemen’s Houthi movement.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued the safety warning 15 minutes before the match was due to begin. Spectators stayed in their seats while both teams waited in their dressing rooms, and residents across the city had received alerts on their phones.
Missile alerts and explosions heard over Riyadh
The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said it had twice intercepted and destroyed ballistic missiles that the Houthis launched towards Riyadh on Monday. At least three explosions could be heard in the city that night, and residents reported several powerful blasts moments after the alert arrived. Civil Defence later said the danger had passed.
The Houthis, who control most of Yemen’s populous areas including the capital, Sanaa, said their target in Riyadh had been King Khalid International Airport. That airport remains closed after a Houthi attack on Saturday killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 300. A further strike on Sunday killed one person and wounded 11, and the recent attacks have killed at least 14 people in total.
Ronaldo’s goal and Al-Nassr’s comfortable win
Angelo gave the home side the lead in the 33rd minute with a deflected strike, before Ronaldo doubled it nine minutes later. The 41-year-old finished after Sadio Mane swung in a looping cross from the left, which Aiman Yahya guided into his path with his chest, and he then drove a turning shot into the bottom corner.
Alisher Odilov reduced the deficit for Neftchi six minutes after the restart. Ikromjon Alibaev was sent off for a foul on Mohamed Simakan in the 65th minute, and Anvarjon Gofurov put the ball into his own net 13 minutes later, sealing the result. Afterwards, Ronaldo and his teammates applauded the sparse home crowd behind the goal.
As he walked around the goal, a fan handed Ronaldo a green Saudi neck scarf. He waved it with one hand before wrapping it around his neck.
Al-Ahli and other results from Asia
Defending champions Al-Ahli claimed their first win of the new campaign, beating UAE side Al-Wasl 3-1 with Marino Pusic’s team. Roger Ibanez headed them in front in the 20th minute, but Pedro Malheiro levelled in first-half stoppage time. Goals from Trincao and Feras Al-Brikan in the 58th and 91st minutes moved Al-Ahli to four points from two matches.
Trincao said his side had created chances in the first half but had taken its goals after the break, and that its greater physical strength had changed the game. Elsewhere, Houssine Rahimi scored twice as Al-Ain beat Air Force Club 4-1 in Basra. Hossein Goudarzi’s 60th-minute goal gave Iran’s Esteghlal a 2-1 win over Al-Gharafa.
A late penalty from Dostonbek Khamdamov earned Pakhtakor a 1-1 draw with Brendan Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiah in Tashkent, while Iran’s Tractor were held to a goalless draw by Qatar’s Al-Shamal. The top eight finishers in each of the East and West Asia 16-team league phases will advance to the knockout rounds.
