Neftchi lose 3-1 to Al Nassr in AFC Champions League Elite

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Ferghana’s Neftchi lost 3-1 to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in the second round of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite on 13 October at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Nawaf Boushal advanced down the right flank and passed the ball back to Angelo, who finished accurately to put Al Nassr ahead.

Cristiano Ronaldo doubled Al Nassr’s lead in the 42nd minute. After Sadio Mane delivered a cross, Ayman Yahya brought the ball down with his chest for the Portuguese forward, who scored with a turning shot.

Neftchi found the net late in the first half, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review because Abrorbek Ismoilov had been offside earlier in the attacking move.

After the break, Neftchi’s coaching staff made two substitutions, bringing on Alisher Odilov and Farrukh Sayfiev for Medeiros Sasse and Ibrokhimkhalil Yuldoshev.

Odilov reduced the deficit in the 51st minute. Following a cross from Jamshid Iskanderov, Nawaf Boushal misjudged a header, and the ball fell to the Neftchi player, who struck powerfully past Bento Krepski.

The visitors’ task became more difficult in the 65th minute when Ikromjon Alibaev was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Al Nassr defender Mohamed Simakan.

Al Nassr capitalised on its numerical advantage to score a third goal in the 78th minute. Sadio Mane played Samu Costa into the penalty area, and the Portuguese midfielder sent the ball across the goalmouth. Anvarjon Gofurov, attempting to prevent Ronaldo from converting the pass, deflected the ball into his own net.

Al Nassr secured a 3-1 victory, earning its first points of this season’s competition. Neftchi, meanwhile, suffered defeat in the second round in Riyadh.