Ronaldo Scores as Al Nassr Beats Neftchi 3-1 in Riyadh
Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Al Nassr beat Neftchi Fergana 3-1 in Riyadh, responding to a 4-0 opening defeat in the AFC Champions League Elite. The match was delayed by more than 15 minutes after an announcement about the interception of a ballistic missile heading toward the city. Neftchi’s Alisher Odilov had pulled a goal back before Ikrom Alivaev was sent off in the second half.
For Al Nassr, the second match of the AFC Champions League Elite brought a chance to respond after a heavy opening defeat. Cristiano Ronaldo scored as the Saudi side beat Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Fergana 3-1 at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026.
The victory gave Al Nassr three points after losing 4-0 to Al Ain in its first match. The available information does not include an updated league table, so the teams’ standings and points totals cannot be confirmed.
Ronaldo doubles the lead
Angelo Gabriel put the hosts ahead in the 33rd minute, finishing Nawaf Boushal’s low cross. Ronaldo made it 2-0 nine minutes later with a volley from close range, giving Al Nassr a two-goal lead at halftime.
Neftchi pushed back after the break. Alisher Odilov scored in the 51st minute to cut the deficit to 2-1, but the Uzbek side’s task grew harder when Ikrom Alivaev was shown a red card in the 65th minute for a hard foul.
Al Nassr went on to secure a 3-1 win. The match report available in available reports do not identify the scorer of the final goal; another report attributed it to an own goal by a Neftchi player.
Delay before kickoff
The match also began more than 15 minutes late. A report citing Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiah said the delay followed an announcement that a ballistic missile heading toward Riyadh had been intercepted. Stadium announcements asked spectators to remain calm and stay in their seats, saying the situation was safe.
Al Nassr had also lost Kingsley Coman to injury in the 13th minute, according to another report on the match. His early substitution came before Angelo and Ronaldo put the hosts ahead.
Ronaldo started as captain alongside Joao Felix, Coman and Sadio Mane, according to the reported starting lineup. Neftchi arrived after a 1-0 win in its opening match, with M. Forss and captain A. Gofurov among its starters.
The 3-1 result gave Al Nassr its first three points of the league phase; its place in the standings remains unavailable in the information provided.
