{
  "id": 14053459,
  "title": "Ronaldo’s Al Nassr match delayed after missile threat near Riyadh",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/ronaldos-al-nassr-match-delayed-after-missile-threat-near-riyadh",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-12T22:04:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/13/ronaldo-s-al-nassr-match-delayed-after-missile-threat-near-riyadh"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Monday, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr faced a delay of one hour in their Asian Champions League match against Neftchi Fergana at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. This interruption occurred after the Saudi-led military coalition claimed to have intercepted a Houthi missile aimed at Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has been targeted by the Iran-backed group in recent weeks, with attacks on oil facilities, tankers, transport hubs, and even Riyadh's international airport.\n\nDespite the looming threat, the stadium announcer reassured the sparse crowd that the situation was safe, and the match would proceed as scheduled. The match was set to begin at 9:15pm local time (1815 GMT). The stadium announcer requested spectators to remain seated and in their seats, but this warning was followed by explosive sounds in Riyadh and a phone alert to residents, advising them to stay indoors and away from windows and doors.\n\nThe broadcast of the match announced the one-hour delay before the game commenced. Al Nassr's Ronaldo scored his 981st career goal just before halftime, contributing to the Saudi champions' 3-1 victory.",
  "summary": "The incident did not seem to faze the Portuguese star, who scored his 981st career goal against Neftchi Fergana in the Asian Champions League.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Saudi Gazette",
        "title": "Coalition forces intercept ballistic missile fired by Houthis toward Riyadh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/coalition-forces-intercept-ballistic-missile-fired-by-houthis-toward",
        "published": "2026-10-12T19:55:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ronaldo’s Al Nassr match delayed after missile threat near Riyadh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/ronaldos-al-nassr-match-delayed-after-missile-threat-near-riyadh-14058216",
        "published": "2026-10-12T22:04:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}