Missile attacks on Saudi Arabia delay match as Ronaldo's goal tally passes 980

An AFC Champions League Elite match between Al Nassr and Neftchi Fergana at Riyadh's Al-Awwal Park was delayed by about an hour after Saudi Civil Defense issued a security alert following ballistic missile attacks by Yemen's Houthis targeting the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The Saudi military coalition intercepted and neutralized two Houthi missile attacks in the air. Three explosions were heard from within Riyadh before the match, but fans in the stadium remained calm in their seats until kickoff. After safety was ensured, Al Nassr went on to win 3-1. Angelo Gabriel gave Al Nassr the lead in the first half, and 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo scored the team's second goal just before the break. It was Ronaldo's 134th goal for Al Nassr since he joined in January 2023, and it took his career tally to 981. In the second half, Neftchi's Alisher Odilov scored to cut the deficit. Al Nassr's third goal was an own goal by Neftchi's Anvarjon Ghofurov, sealing a 3-1 victory. It was Al Nassr's first win in an Asian competition under new coach Ange Postecoglou, following a 4-0 defeat to the UAE's Al Ain on September 15. Iran-backed Houthis have recently carried out many attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. Last weekend, attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people and injured more than 300.