Cristiano Ronaldo Scores 981st Career Goal in Al-Nassr Victory Over Neftchi
Cristiano Ronaldo scored Al-Nassr’s second goal as Ange Postecoglou’s side overcame an hour-long security delay to beat Uzbekistan’s Neftchi 3-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday, according to The Daily Star. Kick-off was delayed after Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a safety warning 15 minutes before the scheduled start time in Riyadh, which has been targeted by missiles fired from Yemen-based Houthis in recent days. ESPN reported that at least three explosions could be heard in the city as Al-Awwal Park waited for play to begin following ballistic missile interceptions by the coalition.
Security Interruption and Delayed Kick-Off in Riyadh
The Asian Champions League Elite fixture faced an unexpected hold-up when Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a safety alert just 15 minutes prior to the opening whistle. ESPN noted that sparse crowds remained seated inside Al-Awwal Park while coalition forces intercepted ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh by Houthi rebels. Despite the disruptions, head coach Ange Postecoglou’s side shook off the tension to control the match.
Angelo and Ronaldo Strike Before the Interval
Al-Nassr broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Angelo found the back of the net with a deflected strike. Nine minutes later, 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the advantage. Sadio Mane delivered a looping cross from the left side, Aiman Yahya redirected the ball into Ronaldo’s path with his chest, and the Portuguese forward lashed a shot on the turn into the bottom corner. The strike marked the 981st career goal for Ronaldo, bringing him 19 goals away from the 1,000-goal milestone, and his 134th goal for Al-Nassr since joining the club in January 2023 according to ESPN.
Second-Half Red Card and Own Goal Seal the Result
Neftchi reduced the deficit six minutes into the second half through Alisher Odilov. However, Al-Nassr restored their two-goal cushion when Ikromjon Alibaev received a red card for a 65th-minute foul on Mohamed Simakan, followed 13 minutes later by an own goal from Anvarjon Gofurov. The 3-1 victory secured Al-Nassr’s first win of the campaign in Asia’s premier club competition following their opening 4-0 loss to Al-Ain on September 15.
Al-Ahli and Regional Fixture Results
Defending champions Al-Ahli also secured their first win of the campaign by defeating Al-Wasl 3-1. Roger Ibanez opened the scoring with a 20th-minute header before Pedro Malheiro equalized in stoppage time for the United Arab Emirates side. Second-half goals from Trincao in the 58th minute and Feras Al-Brikan in the 91st minute sealed the three points. “We created also in the first half but in the second half we made our goals and I think that was the difference,” Trincao told The Daily Star. “Physically we were a little bit better and that was the key to changing the game.” Elsewhere, Al-Ain defeated Air Force Club 4-1 in Basra, Esteghlal beat Al-Gharafa 2-1, Pakhtakor drew 1-1 with Al-Qadsiah, and Tractor drew 0-0 with Al-Shamal.
AFC Champions League Elite Tournament Format
The 16-team league phase features clubs across East and West Asia competing in a round-robin style table. The top eight finishers in both regions will automatically advance to the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Match
Why was the Al-Nassr versus Neftchi match delayed?
Kick-off was delayed by one hour after Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a safety warning due to missile activity over Riyadh, where coalition forces intercepted ballistic missiles launched by Yemen-based Houthi rebels.
How many career goals does Cristiano Ronaldo have now?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal against Neftchi brought his total career tally to 981 goals, leaving him 19 goals shy of reaching the 1,000-goal milestone.
What was the final score of Al-Ahli’s match against Al-Wasl?
Al-Ahli defeated Al-Wasl 3-1 on Monday, with goals coming from Roger Ibanez, Trincao, and Feras Al-Brikan to move the defending champions onto four points from their opening two matches.
Related reading