# Pakhtakor vs Al-Nassr at 6:45pm PKT: why Ronaldo is not playing in Tashkent tonight

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/sports/pakhtakor-vs-al-nassr-at-645pm-pkt-why-ronaldo-is-not-playing-in-tashkent)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 2 Nov 2026
Updated: 2 Nov 2026
Retrieved: 2 Nov 2026

> Ange Postecoglou has left Cristiano Ronaldo, Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan in Riyadh for the AFC Champions League Elite trip. Ronaldo is expected back on Friday against Al-Hazem.

**Pakhtakor vs Al-Nassr**, the AFC Champions League Elite match in **Tashkent, Uzbekistan**, kicked off at **6:45pm Pakistan time** on **Monday, 2 November 2026** (1:45pm GMT), and **Cristiano Ronaldo is not playing**. Al-Nassr coach **Ange Postecoglou** left him out of the travelling squad, along with **Kingsley Coman** and **Mohamed Simakan**.

## Why Ronaldo is out

It is rotation, not injury, according to Saudi outlet *Arriyadiyah* as reported by [World Soccer Talk](https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/cristiano-ronaldo-misses-al-nassrs-afc-champions-league-elite-trip-to-uzbekistan-when-will-he-play-again/). The club is managing workloads after a long trip and a crowded run of fixtures. Ronaldo scored a **hat-trick** in the **5-3 win over Al-Kholood** on 29 October, which took him to **985 career goals**, 15 short of 1,000, as [we reported](/news/sports/al-nassr-vs-al-kholood-ronaldo-hat-trick-in-5-3-win-takes-him-to-985-goals-15).

**When does Ronaldo play next?** He is expected to return for Al-Nassr's Saudi Pro League away match at **Al-Hazem on Friday, 6 November**, subject to fitness and the coach's decision.

## Where the two sides stand

- **Al-Nassr:** 3 points from 2 Champions League Elite games: a **4-0 defeat to Al-Ain** and a **3-1 win over Neftchi Fergana**. Their home game against **Al-Wasl** was postponed when Al-Wasl could not travel to Saudi Arabia.
- **Pakhtakor:** no win yet in this campaign: draws with **Al-Ahli** and **Al-Qadsiah** and a home defeat to **Neftchi Fergana**.
- In the league, Al-Nassr have **28 points from 11 matches** (9 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat).

## Team news

[101 Great Goals](https://www.101greatgoals.com/match-previews/pakhtakor-v-al-nassr-line-ups-stats/) expected **Sadio Mane** and **Joao Felix** to lead Al-Nassr's attack, with **Bento** in goal and **Samu Costa** back from suspension. Pakhtakor defender **Khozhiabar Alizhonov** was a fitness doubt.

## What is at stake

A win would take Al-Nassr to 6 points and keep them in the race for the knockout places in the West region, with a game in hand once the Al-Wasl match is rescheduled. For Pakhtakor, it is a home chance to get a first win on the board against a side without its biggest name.

We will add the final score here. More football and the rest of the day's sport is on our [sports desk](/news/sports).

## Frequently asked questions

**Why is Ronaldo not playing for Al-Nassr against Pakhtakor?**

Coach Ange Postecoglou rested him, along with Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan, to manage workload after a long trip and a busy schedule, according to Arriyadiyah.

**What time is Pakhtakor vs Al-Nassr in Pakistan?**

The match kicked off at 6:45pm PKT (1:45pm GMT) on Monday, 2 November 2026, in Tashkent.

## Sources

- Cristiano Ronaldo misses Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League Elite trip to Uzbekistan: when will he play again? (World Soccer Talk): https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/cristiano-ronaldo-misses-al-nassrs-afc-champions-league-elite-trip-to-uzbekistan-when-will-he-play-again/
- Pakhtakor v Al-Nassr: Preview, expected line-ups and stats as Ronaldo sits out (101 Great Goals): https://www.101greatgoals.com/match-previews/pakhtakor-v-al-nassr-line-ups-stats/

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