A missile alert delayed the start of Al-Nassr’s Asian Champions League Elite match in Riyadh on Monday, while Cristiano Ronaldo later showed support for Saudi Arabia by wearing a scarf bearing the country’s flag.
The incident unfolded amid renewed fighting in Yemen and reported attacks affecting Saudi Arabia. The match eventually went ahead after Saudi authorities said the immediate danger had passed, with Al-Nassr defeating Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Fergana 3-1.
Missile warning delays match in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued an alert approximately 15 minutes before kick-off at Al-Awwal Park. Players remained in the dressing rooms while spectators stayed inside the stadium as authorities assessed the situation.
The Saudi-led coalition involved in the Yemen conflict said it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile travelling towards Riyadh. Civil Defence later announced that the threat had ended, allowing the AFC Champions League Elite fixture to begin about an hour later than planned.
The match delay underlined the wider impact of the renewed violence in Yemen, which has disrupted normal life and raised security concerns in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo waves Saudi flag scarf after victory
After Al-Nassr secured the win, Ronaldo joined his teammates in applauding supporters and draped a scarf carrying the Saudi flag around his shoulders. Before the match, he had also kissed the Saudi national emblem on his shirt.
Al-Nassr later posted a remark from a 2025 interview in which Ronaldo said: “I’m Portuguese, but I belong to Saudi Arabia.” The footballer joined the Riyadh-based club in January 2023 and has extended his contract through 2027.
Al-Ahli Saudi FC defender Merih Demiral also expressed sympathy for those affected by the attacks. The Turkey international described Saudi Arabia as his second home and said his thoughts and prayers were with the victims.
Al-Nassr recover from opening defeat
On the pitch, Al-Nassr claimed its first win of the campaign after losing 4-0 to Al-Ain in its opening match.
Angelo Gabriel opened the scoring before Alisher Odilov equalised for Neftchi in the second half. Al-Nassr then regained control after the visitors had a player sent off and later conceded an own goal.
Ronaldo scored in the 42nd minute. The goal moved his reported career total to 981, leaving him 19 goals short of 1,000.
Deadly attacks reported near Riyadh airport
The match took place after Saudi authorities reported deadly attacks on King Khalid International Airport over the weekend. Officials said 13 people died after a Saturday strike that also injured more than 300 people. A further attack on Sunday reportedly killed one person and wounded 11 others.
The airport remained closed following the incidents. Saudi officials told the Associated Press, on condition of anonymity, that an investigation was examining how missiles and drones had breached the kingdom’s air-defence systems.
The reported casualties and airport disruption have added to concerns about the security consequences of the renewed conflict in Yemen. The developments also demonstrate how regional fighting can affect civilian infrastructure, travel and major sporting events.
Renewed fighting in Yemen raises regional concerns
Yemen had experienced several years of relative calm before the latest escalation. Earlier this month, forces aligned with the internationally recognised Yemeni government launched a Saudi-backed offensive against the Iran-aligned Houthis.
The conflict has broader regional implications because Saudi Arabia shares a border with Yemen and has previously been directly affected by attacks involving missiles and drones. Any further escalation could place additional pressure on airports, public services and cross-border security arrangements.
For residents and travellers, the reported closure of King Khalid International Airport may create immediate disruption. For sports organisations, the delayed Al-Nassr fixture illustrates the need to assess security conditions even when events are already scheduled and spectators are in place.
What happens next?
Saudi authorities are expected to continue investigating the airport attacks and assessing the country’s air-defence response. The security situation may also influence the staging and timing of future sporting events in affected areas.
Al-Nassr’s victory means the club moves forward in the Asian Champions League Elite campaign, but the match will be remembered as much for the missile warning and public displays of solidarity as for the result.
The key takeaway is that the Riyadh fixture proceeded only after authorities declared the immediate threat over, while the wider security situation linked to Yemen remains serious and subject to further developments.
