Cristiano Ronaldo was just seconds away from hoisting his first piece of silverware since arriving in Saudi Arabia, but a costly late error by Al Nassr’s goalkeeper Bento resulted in a 1-1 draw against rivals Al Hilal.
After a high-intensity start, Al Nassr finally broke the deadlock in the first half. Mohamed Simakan pounced on a pinpoint corner from Marcelo Brozovic, firing the ball home to give the hosts the lead.
Al Nassr looked increasingly comfortable throughout the second half, appearing superior in almost every department. However, just as Ronaldo’s title celebrations seemed ready to begin, disaster struck. In the dying moments, Bento misjudged an incoming cross and accidentally turned the ball into his own net, gifting Al Hilal an equalizer and a lifeline in the championship race.
Now, Cristiano Ronaldo must wait until the final matchday, where a victory against Damac would secure his first title in Saudi Arabia. He must be careful, however, as another draw would give Al Hilal the opportunity to snatch the championship from their grasp as the Saudi Pro League standings are heating up, and the title race is more alive than ever.
