Cristiano Ronaldo scored Al-Nassr's second goal as the Saudi Pro League champions overcame an hour-long security delay to beat Uzbekistan's Neftchi Fergana 3-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday.
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. Ange Postecoglou's side shook off the interruption to go in front through Angelo in the 33rd minute with a deflected strike before Ronaldo doubled the lead nine minutes later.
The 41-year-old struck after Sadio Mane delivered a looping cross from the left that Ayman Yahya directed into Ronaldo's path with his chest and the Portuguese forward lashed the ball into the bottom corner with a shot on the turn. It was Ronaldo's 981st goal across club and international games. Ronaldo’s heroics came amid growing uncertainty over his future with the national side, following his controversial exit from the national camp during the UEFA Nations League. The incident has reportedly intensified his rift with head coach Jorge Jesus. The 41-year-old has since been handed a provisional suspension by the country’s football federation, which has also initiated disciplinary proceedings against him.
Alisher Odilov pulled one back for Neftchi six minutes into the second half but Ikromjon Alibaev's red card for a foul on Mohamed Simakan in the 65th minute and an own goal by Anvarjon Gofurov 13 minutes later sealed the win for Al-Nassr.
(Inputs from Reuters, ANI)