Cristiano Ronaldo was on the scoresheet as Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr defeated Uzbekistan side Neftchi Fergana 3-1 in a Group B game of the AFC Champions League Elite competition in Riyadh on Monday.
Ronaldo scored after Angelo Gabriel opened the scoring, while an own goal by Anvarjon Gofurov helped the Saudi Arabian side secure their first points in the .
The match, however, began after a significant delay triggered by security concerns in Riyadh. The scheduled kick-off was postponed by approximately an hour following a safety alert issued by Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence. Play eventually went ahead after authorities indicated that the immediate danger had passed.
The Ange Postecoglou-managed side had entered the fixture looking to respond to their disappointing 4-0 defeat against Al Ain on the opening matchday. The home side made a positive start after the interruption, with Angelo breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute.
The Brazilian forward’s effort gave the advantage they had been seeking, setting the stage for Ronaldo to extend their lead before half-time.
, suspended by Portugal amid his controversial walkout of the team camp recently, made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute after a well-constructed attacking move involving Sadio Mane and Aiman Yahya.
Mane delivered a looping ball from the left, which Yahya brought under control with his chest and directed into Ronaldo’s path. The forward then struck on the turn, sending the ball into the bottom corner.
The goal provided Al Nassr with a two-goal cushion at the break, but Neftchi Fergana responded soon after the restart to bring themselves back into contention.
Alisher Odilov found the net in the 51st minute, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and putting pressure on the hosts.
The Uzbekistani side had an opportunity to make the closing stages competitive, but their task became considerably harder when Ikromjon Alibaev was sent off in the 65th minute for a foul on Mohamed Simakan.
Al Nassr subsequently regained control and restored their two-goal advantage in the 78th minute. Neftchi defender Anvarjon Gofurov turned the ball into his own net, handing the hosts a decisive third goal and effectively ending the visitors’ hopes of mounting a comeback.
Al Nassr will next take on Al Ahli in the in Jeddah on Thursday. Al Nassr are in third place in the Saudi Pro League with 19 points from eight matches, whereas Al Ahli are in sixth place with 15 points from eight matches.
