Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo waved a scarf bearing the Saudi Arabian flag after Al Nassr secured a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Fergana in the AFC Champions League Elite, following a security alert that delayed the match in Riyadh.
The match at Al-Awwal Park was postponed by approximately one hour on Monday after Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a warning amid reports of ballistic missile threats targeting the Saudi capital.
Despite the disruption, Al Nassr went on to secure a convincing victory, with Ronaldo scoring the team’s second goal.
Ronaldo’s gesture draws attention
Following the final whistle, Ronaldo was seen waving a scarf featuring the Saudi national flag during the celebrations. He had also been filmed kissing the Saudi emblem on his Al Nassr shirt before the match.
The gesture attracted attention amid heightened security concerns in Saudi Arabia following recent attacks attributed to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement.
Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in 2023, has become one of the most prominent international sporting figures associated with Saudi football.
Missile alert delays AFC Champions League match
The match was delayed after Saudi authorities issued a security warning. According to reports, a Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh.
Explosions were reportedly heard in parts of the city as residents received emergency alerts. Authorities subsequently indicated that the immediate danger had passed, allowing the match to proceed.
The incident came amid reports of recent attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including the country’s international aviation infrastructure. Details of individual incidents and casualty figures should be read in the context of official updates.
Al Nassr secure 3-1 victory
Al Nassr opened the scoring through Angelo Gabriel in the 33rd minute, before Ronaldo doubled the lead shortly before half-time.
Neftchi Fergana reduced the deficit through Alisher Odilov early in the second half. However, a late own goal by Anvarjon Gofurov sealed a 3-1 victory for the Saudi side.
The result ensured that the evening ended with a sporting triumph for Al Nassr despite the unusual security disruption before kick-off.
