Cristiano Ronaldo reaches 981 goals as Al Nassr beat Neftchi

Cristiano Ronaldo moved another step towards 1,000 goals on a disrupted night in Riyadh. Ronaldo 981st career goal helped Al Nassr defeat Neftchi Fergana 3-1 after an hour-long security delay.

The Portuguese striker doubled the lead before halftime, rather than opening the scoring. However, Al Nassr withstood a second-half response to claim its first AFC Champions League Elite points this season.

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Al Nassr respond after a delayed start in Riyadh

Al Nassr entered Monday’s match needing a response to their opening 4-0 defeat against Al Ain. Ange Postecoglou’s side delivered one at King Saud University Stadium, also known as Al-Awwal Park.

However, football initially took second place after Saudi authorities issued a security warning shortly before kickoff. Players returned to the dressing rooms, and the match eventually started an hour late.

Once play finally began, Al Nassr faced another early disruption when Kingsley Coman left the pitch early. Ayman Yahya replaced him and later contributed directly to the decisive second goal. Nawaf Boushal supplied attacking width, while João Félix’s movement helped unsettle the visiting shape.

Cristiano Ronaldo provided the finishing touch to the hosts’ best combination before the break. However, the visitors’ second-half response showed that his milestone alone could not settle the contest. Al Nassr still needed to recover.

Ângelo turns Boushal’s delivery into the opener

Boushal’s advance produced the opening goal in the 33rd minute, with Ângelo finishing the move. Consequently, Al Nassr finally converted its attacking pressure into a lead.

⚽🔥 Angelo Gabriel sahnede! 🟡🔵 Al Nassr, Angelo Gabriel’in golüyle Neftchi FK karşısında 1-0 öne geçiyor! https://t.co/jgek7WS8Zc
— D-Smart Spor (@SporSmart_) October 12, 2026

João Félix’s involvement and the full-back’s width gave Neftchi problems beyond the centre-forward position. Neftchi needed to contain crosses and protect space inside the penalty area.

Yahya supplies Ronaldo’s sharp finish

Sadio Mané delivered a cross from the left, and Yahya redirected it with his chest. Ronaldo turned onto the dropping ball and drove his finish into the net in the 42nd minute.

Ronaldo knows exactly where to be and when to strike! 🐐#AlNassr https://t.co/ROlq6Avj7Z
— The Final Whistle (@Rufus_45) October 12, 2026

That sequence made the score 2-0 and rewarded the substitute’s composure under pressure. Moreover, the finish gave the defence little time to recover. Marcus Forss subsequently headed into the net, but officials ruled his effort out for offside.

Cristiano Ronaldo closes the gap to 1,000

The latest strike leaves the Portuguese forward 19 goals short of the four-figure milestone. Moreover, it follows his goal in the 3-0 league win over Diriyah three days earlier.

Monday’s match belonged to the AFC Champions League Elite, rather than the Saudi domestic league. The AFC’s official report confirms Al Nassr collected its first points of the campaign.

Continental progress now accompanies the individual scoring milestone. However, the second half exposed defensive problems before the home side secured the result.

Odilov responds before the red card changes the balance

Alisher Odilov cut the deficit in the 51st minute after finding space inside the area. His finish past Bento brought Neftchi back within one goal.

⚽🔥 Neftchi'nin fırsatçı golcüsü sahnede! 💥 Neftchi FK, Al Nassr deplasmanında Alisher Odilov'un golüyle farkı 1'e indiriyor! https://t.co/cHTjebU7y5
— D-Smart Spor (@SporSmart_) October 12, 2026

However, Ikromjon Alibaev’s dismissal in the 65th minute interrupted the visitors’ recovery. Reuters identified his foul on Mohamed Simakan as the incident behind the red card.

Ikromjon Alibaev red card 🆚 Al Nassr | Al Nassr vs Neftchi Fergana | AFC Champions League #النصر_نيفيتشي | #دوري_أبطال_آسيا_للنخبة https://t.co/LNonPugWyg
— StatPad Football📊📈📉 (@StatPadFootball) October 12, 2026

Simakan later left the match, while the hosts benefited from the extra player. Consequently, Neftchi faced a harder task maintaining pressure without leaving gaps for Al Nassr to exploit.

Costa’s delivery helps settle the contest

Samú Costa helped the hosts regain control after their difficult start to the half. Moreover, his forward movement gave Al Nassr another route towards the visiting penalty area.

Anvarjon Gofurov turned Costa’s cross into his own net in the 78th minute. That restored the two-goal cushion and left Neftchi with little time to recover.

😬⚽ Neftchi kaptanının şanssız anı! 🔥 Al Nassr, Neftchi FK kaptanı Anvarjon Gofurov'un kendi kalesine attığı golle mücadelede farkı 2'ye çıkarıyor! 📊 Al Nassr 3-1 Neftchi FK https://t.co/8PvfFXIRVb
— D-Smart Spor (@SporSmart_) October 12, 2026

The Al Nassr victory combined effective finishing with a stronger numerical position late on. However, Coman’s early exit and Simakan’s later substitution also leave fitness concerns.

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