Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – The Asian Champions League match between Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and Neftchi Fergana was delayed by an hour after the Saudi-led military coalition claimed to have intercepted a missile fired by the Houthis toward Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has recently been the target of a series of attacks by the Iran-backed group, including strikes on oil facilities, tankers, and transportation hubs, as well as several deadly attacks on Riyadh's international airport.
The stadium announcer announced that the situation was under control and that the match would go ahead, urging spectators to remain in their seats.
Shortly before, AFP correspondents had reported hearing explosions in Riyadh. At the same time, Riyadh residents received a warning on their phones: "The region is exposed to a hostile air threat.
Please remain calm and stay at home or in a safe place, away from doors and windows, continuing to follow the instructions of the civil defense." Subsequently, in a statement published on X, the coalition announced the interception and destruction of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis. The episode did not seem to faze Ronaldo, who scored the 981st goal of his career shortly before half-time in the match that saw the Saudi team win 3-1.
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