Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 981st career goal as Al Nassr beat Neftchi Fergana 3-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite in Riyadh on Monday, after the kick-off was delayed by about an hour over a security alert. It was Al Nassr’s first win of the continental campaign.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: The match at Al Awwal Park was scheduled for 9:15 pm local time, but Saudi Civil Defence issued a security alert shortly before kick-off and the start was pushed back by about an hour. The Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted missiles aimed at the capital. Authorities later said the immediate danger had passed, and the game went ahead.
Angelo and Ronaldo put Al Nassr in command
Al Nassr had arrived needing a response after a 4-0 defeat at Al Ain in their opening continental match. Angelo Gabriel gave them the lead in the 33rd minute with a deflected shot.
Ronaldo doubled it just before half-time, finishing at close range from a move involving Sadio Mane. The goal was his 981st, three days after he scored his 980th against Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League.
Neftchi pull one back, then lose a man
Neftchi Fergana responded early in the second half through Alisher Odilov, who made it 2-1. The visitors’ task grew harder in the 65th minute, when Ikromjon Alibaev was sent off, leaving them with ten men.
Al Nassr then made it safe. In the 78th minute Anvarjon Gofurov put the ball into his own net to make it 3-1, which is how the match finished.
What comes next
The win lifts Al Nassr after a poor start in the competition. They are next in Elite action on 26 October, when they host Al Wasl, and they are scheduled to return to Saudi Pro League duty on Thursday against Al Ahli.
Result: Al Nassr 3 (Angelo Gabriel 33′, Ronaldo, Gofurov o.g. 78′) Neftchi Fergana 1 (Odilov). Half-time: 2-0. Neftchi’s Alibaev sent off, 65′.
Competition: AFC Champions League Elite, Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Monday 12 October 2026.
