RIYADH: 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 Asian Champions League Elite on Monday.
Kick-off was delayed after Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence issued a safety warning 15 minutes before the scheduled start time in Riyadh, which has been targeted by missiles fired from Yemen-based Houthis in recent days.
Ange Postecoglou's side shook off the interruption and went ahead through Angelo in the 33rd minute with a deflected strike, before Ronaldo doubled the lead nine minutes later.
The 41-year-old struck after Sadio Mane delivered a looping cross from the left that Aiman Yahya directed into Ronaldo's path with his chest, and the Portuguese forward lashed the ball into the bottom corner with a shot on the turn.
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.
Roger Ibanez put Al-Ahli ahead with a 20th-minute header, but Pedro Malheiro levelled in the third minute of first-half stoppage time.
Goals from Trincao and Feras Al-Brikan in the 58th and 91st minutes gave Al-Ahli a win to lift them onto four points from two matches.
"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.
"Physically, we were a little bit better, and that was the key to changing the game."
The top eight finishers in the 16-team league phase will progress to the knockout rounds.
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