Ronaldo scores as Al-Nassr beat Neftchi after Riyadh security delay

Al-Nassr defeated Uzbekistan's Neftchi Fergana 3-1 in Riyadh on Monday after a security alert held up their AFC Champions League Elite match for an hour. Cristiano Ronaldo scored before half-time as the Saudi club completed a fixture that had been delayed while spectators and players waited at Al-Awwal Park, according to Associated Press reporting.

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The match had been scheduled to begin at 9.15pm local time. AFP reported that the stadium announcer told the small crowd the situation was safe, said the game would go ahead and asked supporters to stay seated. The television broadcaster subsequently informed viewers that kick-off had been pushed back by an hour, rather than proceeding at the scheduled time.

AFP correspondents heard explosions in Riyadh, while residents received mobile-phone warnings advising them to shelter at home or another safe location and keep away from windows and doors. The Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired towards the city by the Houthis. AP reported that Saudi Civil Defense later announced the danger had passed.

Once play began, Angelo Gabriel gave Al-Nassr the lead before Ronaldo doubled the advantage shortly before the interval. Brazilian outlet UOL reported that Ronaldo's finish followed a cross from Sadio Mane and a chest lay-off by Yahya. The Portuguese forward controlled the ball and turned before scoring, putting the home side two goals ahead at half-time.

Neftchi reduced the deficit through Alisher Odilov after the break. UOL described the goal as coming after Al-Nassr failed to clear a ball played forward. The visitors' response cut the margin to one goal, but an own goal subsequently restored the home team's two-goal cushion. AP placed that decisive final scoring contribution in the 78th minute of the match.

Ronaldo's goal took his career total to 981, according to AFP and UOL, leaving him 19 short of 1,000. It was Al-Nassr's second match in this season's competition, UOL reported. The goal contributed to a completed 3-1 victory on a night when the security situation had initially prevented the teams from starting on time.