Cristiano Ronaldo advanced his pursuit of 1,000 career goals as Al Nassr defeated Neftchi 3–1 in the Asian Champions League, maintaining his scoring momentum amid regional security concerns in Riyadh, according to reporting published by MARCA.
Al Nassr Secure Victory at Deserter Al Awwal Park Amid Security Alerts
The fixture at Al Awwal Park commenced with a one-hour delay following warnings of potential Houthi missile or drone attacks targeting Riyadh. The National Early Warning Platform issued urgent safety notifications urging residents and stadium attendees to remain sheltered, leaving the venue’s stands largely deserted as security officials monitored the situation. MARCA reported that the General Directorate of Defense warned citizens of imminent danger through official social media channels, casting an unusual backdrop over the continental match.
Despite the empty stands, Al Nassr controlled possession from the opening whistle. Joao Félix appealed for an early penalty within five minutes, though refereeing appeals were waved away. Shortly after, winger Kingsley Coman was forced off the pitch due to apparent muscular discomfort before the quarter-hour mark.
First-Half Breakthroughs and Ronaldo’s 981st Official Goal
Al Nassr dominated territory but struggled to test the Neftchi goalkeeper early on. Félix sent a close-range effort high over the crossbar and later failed to connect with a low cross from Sadio Mané. Ronaldo took his first direct shot at goal in the 32nd minute, sending a free-kick directly into the defensive wall.
The deadlock broke just a minute later. Sultan Al-Boushal surged down the right flank and delivered a cutback from the baseline for Angelo Gabriel, who redirected the ball into the top corner. The strike marked Angelo’s seventh goal of the current campaign. Ronaldo then secured his own goal before the break, collecting a loose ball inside the penalty area to finish with a sharp half-volley. The strike brought his career total to 981 official goals, continuing his recent form following a three-match scoring drought.
Second-Half Response and Secure Qualification
Neftchi reduced the deficit immediately after the restart when Odilov capitalized on a lapse in Al Nassr’s concentration to make it 2–1. The visitors sustained a brief period of pressure seeking an equalizer before Al Nassr reasserted tactical control.
The momentum shifted decisively in the 65th minute when Neftchi’s Alibaev received a red card. With a numerical advantage, Al Nassr sealed the result when Gofurov turned the ball into his own net. The victory helped Al Nassr recover from an opening-day defeat against Al Ain in the Asian Champions League group stage.
