Ronaldo scores as Al-Nassr beat Neftchi; missile alert delays match by an hour

Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo moved another step closer to the historic 1,000-goal milestone as Al-Nassr defeated Uzbekistan's Neftchi Fergana 3-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday, in a match delayed by an hour following a security alert over missile threats in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh.

The Portuguese superstar netted his 981st career goal as Al-Nassr registered their first victory of the competition, bouncing back from a 4-0 defeat to Al Ain in their opening fixture.

However, the contest at Al-Awwal Park, also known as King Saud University Stadium, unfolded against a backdrop of heightened security concerns after Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense issued emergency alerts warning residents of a potential threat.

The Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels towards Riyadh on Monday. At least three explosions were heard across the city that night.

The security situation forced organisers to postpone kick-off by an hour, with the sparse crowd remaining inside the stadium as both teams waited for clearance to begin.

Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence later announced that the danger had passed, allowing the match to proceed.

Ronaldo strikes as Al-Nassr take control

Once play began, Al-Nassr quickly established control despite suffering an early injury setback.

French winger Kingsley Coman was forced off with a muscle injury inside the opening 15 minutes, prompting manager Jorge Jesus to introduce Ayman Yahya as his replacement.

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Brazilian winger Angelo Gabriel converted a pass from Nawaf Boushal, beating Neftchi goalkeeper Botirali Ergashev to put Al-Nassr ahead.

Ronaldo doubled the advantage three minutes before half-time, finishing a move created by substitute Ayman Yahya.

The 41-year-old Portuguese forward received Yahya's pass and produced a turning finish to score his 981st professional career goal, moving within 19 goals of the unprecedented 1,000-goal landmark.

The strike gave Al-Nassr a commanding 2-0 lead heading into the interval.

Neftchi fight back before own goal seals victory

Neftchi Fergana attempted to mount a comeback after the restart and reduced the deficit in the 51st minute through Alisher Odilov.

The goal briefly revived the Uzbek side's hopes of salvaging a result, but Al-Nassr regained control as the second half progressed.

The visitors' chances suffered a decisive blow in the 78th minute when Anvarjou Gofurov turned the ball into his own net, restoring Al-Nassr's two-goal advantage.

The own goal sealed a 3-1 victory for the Saudi Pro League side, giving them their first three points of the AFC Champions League Elite campaign.

Missile interceptions trigger security alert in Riyadh

The match took place amid renewed security concerns in Saudi Arabia following a series of missile and drone attacks claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

According to the Saudi-led coalition, air defence systems intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired towards Riyadh on Monday.

Residents received emergency notifications from Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence, while at least three explosions were reported in the capital.

The alert also disrupted the scheduled start of the Al-Nassr match, although spectators remained inside the stadium throughout the delay.

The Civil Defence subsequently declared that the immediate danger had passed.

The latest incident followed attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport over the weekend, which killed at least 13 people and injured more than 300, according to reports.