Missile alert delays Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr's Asian Champions League match
A soccer match between Al-Nassr and Neftchi Fargona was delayed due to a Houthi missile attack near Riyadh. Despite the security threat, the match proceeded after authorities cleared the area, resulting in a 3-1 victory for Al-Nassr.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing security risks in the Middle East and the intersection of high-profile international sports with regional geopolitical conflicts.
Hear this story The Asian Champions League Elite match between Cristiano Ronaldo 's Al-Nassr and Neftchi Fargona kicked off later than scheduled as Houthis continue to fire missiles at targets in Saudi Arabia.
As the planned kickoff time approached at Al-Awwal Park on Monday, Oct. 12, a message played telling fans to stay calm and remain in their seats while kickoff was delayed.
A Saudi military spokesperson told local newspapers forces had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile headed toward Riyadh, where Al-Nassr's home stadium sits on the campus of King Saud University.
The additional attacks come two days after a Houthi missile struck the Riyadh Airport, killing 13 and injuring hundreds .
After authorities ruled that the danger had been cleared, the match kicked off at 10:15 p.m. local time and proceeded without off-field incident.
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