Cristiano Ronaldo scored Al-Nassr’s second goal as the Saudi Pro League champions overcame an hour-long security delay to beat Uzbekistan’s Neftchi 3-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday (October 12, 2026).
A last minute penalty from Dostonbek Khamdamov salvaged a 1-1 draw for Pakhtakor against Brendan Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiah in Tashkent while Tractor from Iran were held to a 0-0 draw by Qatar’s Al-Shamal.
Alisher Odilov pulled one back for Neftchi six minutes into the second half but Ikromjon Alibaev’s red card for a foul on Mohamed Simakan in the 65th minute and an own goal by Anvarjon Gofurov 13 minutes later sealed the win for Al-Nassr. Meanwhile, defending champions Al-Ahli scored twice in the second half to pick up their first win of the new campaign as Marino Pusic’s side beat Al-Wasl from the United Arab Emirates 3-1. Houssine Rahimi scored twice as Al-Ain defeated Air Force Club 4-1 in Basra, while Hossein Goudarzi’s 60th minute goal earned Iran’s Esteghlal a 2-1 win over Al-Gharafa.
Ange Postecoglou’s side shook off the interruption to go in front through Angelo in the 33rd minute with a deflected strike before Ronaldo doubled the lead nine minutes later. Roger Ibanez put Al-Ahli ahead with a 20th minute header but Pedro Malheiro levelled in the third minute of first-half stoppage time. “Physically we were a little bit better and that was the key to changing the game.
“We created also in the first half but in the second half we made our goals and I think that was the difference,” said Trincao.