Cristiano Ronaldo Misses Al-Nassr’s 6-2 Victory Over Pakhtakor Amid Saudi Security Concerns

Cristiano Ronaldo was absent as Al-Nassr secured an emphatic 6-2 victory over Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor in their AFC Champions League Elite fixture on Monday, with the Portuguese forward left out of the squad amid security concerns surrounding the competition in Saudi Arabia.

The 41-year-old was one of three key players rested by Al-Nassr coach Ange Postecoglou for the trip to Tashkent. Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan were also missing from the travelling squad.

According to The Independent, Postecoglou explained that the decision was influenced by the demanding fixture schedule and extensive travelling involved.

“Given the pressure of matches and the amount of travel involved,” the coach said.

However, Ronaldo’s absence came against the backdrop of reported security concerns in the region, following missile attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia.

Al-Nassr’s previous home fixture in the competition, scheduled for October 12, was delayed by an hour following reports of the attacks, according to the Associated Press.

The club’s subsequent match against UAE side Al-Wasl was also postponed after the visiting team declined to travel to Riyadh because of the security situation.

Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Al-Nassr delivered an impressive performance at the Pakhtakor Central Stadium, with João Félix scoring twice in the 6-2 victory.

Abdullah Al-Hamdan opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Félix doubled the lead two minutes later. The former Chelsea forward struck again in the 32nd minute to put the visitors 3-0 ahead.

Pakhtakor reduced the deficit through Flamarion in the 36th minute, but Al-Nassr strengthened their advantage after the break with goals from Abdulelah Al-Amri and Abdulrahman Ghareeb.

Dostonbek Khamdamov scored Pakhtakor’s second goal before Ângelo completed the scoring for the Saudi side in the 79th minute.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that the victory was Al-Nassr’s second in the competition. The result moved the club to fourth place in the West Region standings with six points, while Pakhtakor remained on two points.

Ronaldo had scored a hat-trick in Al-Nassr’s 5-3 league victory over Al-Kholood last Thursday, taking his career goal tally to 985 and his season’s return to nine goals in 12 appearances.