Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Al-Nassr defeated Neftchi Fergana 3-1 in an AFC Champions League Elite match delayed for an hour by a missile alert in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a security warning shortly before Monday night’s scheduled kick-off, advising residents to remain indoors or seek a safe place.
The Saudi-led military coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed ballistic missiles launched towards the capital by Yemen’s Houthi movement. Several explosions were heard across Riyadh before authorities announced that the immediate danger had passed.
Supporters already inside Al-Awwal Park were allowed to remain in their seats while the teams waited for permission to begin the match.
Ronaldo doubles Al-Nassr’s lead
Once play started, Al-Nassr took control and opened the scoring through Brazilian winger Angelo Gabriel in the 33rd minute.
Ronaldo doubled the advantage three minutes before half-time following an attacking move involving Sadio Mane and Aiman Yahya.
Mane delivered the ball from the right before Yahya directed it into Ronaldo’s path. The Portuguese forward controlled it, turned and finished to give the hosts a commanding lead.
Alisher Odilov pulled one back for the Uzbek champions early in the second half, briefly giving the visitors hope of a comeback.
Neftchi’s challenge became more difficult when Ikromjon Alibaev was sent off in the 65th minute.
An own goal from Anvarjon Gofurov with 12 minutes remaining completed the 3-1 victory and secured Al-Nassr’s first win of the continental campaign.
After the final whistle, Ronaldo celebrated with supporters while carrying and wearing a Saudi Arabian scarf.
Match played amid heightened security concerns
The alert came amid a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including strikes on transport hubs and Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
Monday’s match was ultimately permitted to proceed after the Civil Defence said the threat had passed, but the incident demonstrated how the escalating regional conflict could affect major sporting events.
Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly important host of international football, boxing, golf and motorsport events.
The security situation is also being monitored closely by Formula 1, which intends to stage its final two races of the 2026 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Formula 1 retains Imola contingency plan
The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 27–29, with the Abu Dhabi season finale following from December 4–6.
Formula 1’s current position is that both races will proceed as planned. However, Italy’s Imola circuit is being prepared as a contingency venue should further escalation make the Abu Dhabi finale unsafe or logistically impossible.
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali has stressed that Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain the preferred destinations, with any move to Imola considered an emergency alternative rather than a confirmed calendar change.
The UK Foreign Office is not currently advising against travel to the region but has warned British nationals about the possibility of further attacks, flight cancellations, airspace closures and wider travel disruption.
