Missile threat in Riyadh delays Ronaldo and Al Nassr’s Champions League game by an hour

Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League match against Neftchi Fergana was delayed by an hour. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League match against Neftchi Fergana was delayed by an hour after Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense issued security alert in Riyadh on Monday.

The military-coalition said it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards the city by the Iran-backed Houthis. At least explosions were reported to be heard on Monday night across the capital.

The sparse crowd inside the Al-Awwal Park was asked to remain seated while the teams waited for the threat to clear. The match was originally scheduled to start at 9:15 pm local time.

The Civil Defense, which had warned residents through alerts sent to their phones, later said the danger had passed.

After an hour, Al Nassr kicked off the match and Angelo Gabriel gave the home side a lead before Ronaldo doubled it just before the half-time. Alisher Odilov did score to reduce the gap but an own goal in the 78th minute sealed the game for Al-Nassr.

Saudi Arabia has recently come under a series of attacks from the Houthis with strikes on oil facilities, tankers and transport hubs, including a string of lethal hits on Riyadh’s international airport.