It was an evening to forget for Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr as they ended in a late draw, having led 1-0 until thefinal momentsof the match on Tuesday (May 12) in the Saudi Pro League (SPL).
However, a late own goal saw the match end 1-1, meaning Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr's nearest rivals, stay within five points with a game in hand. After the draw, star man Cristiano Ronaldo's reaction went viral as he was clearly disappointed.
The former Real Madrid forward started the match and was on the field when Al-Nassr took the lead. The 37th-minute goal meant Ronado's sidewereleading and had an eight-point lead at the top. However, the lateequalisermeant Al-Nassr's hopes of sealing the SPL title took a major hit. They will now need afavourfrom other sides in case they are to win the SPL title.
What happened in the match?
Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento scored a 98th-minute own goal that denied his team the chance to wrap up the Saudi Pro League title in a 1-1 draw with Al Hilal on Tuesday. Al Nassr were seconds away from clinching the title for the first time since the 2018-2019 season when Brazil international Bentofailed toclaim a long Al Hilal throw-in, with the ball bouncing into his own net.
With one matchremaining, Al Nassrsittop of the table with 83 points from 33 games, five points clear of second-placed Al Hilal, who have a game in hand. Al Nassr will secure the title by beatingDamacin their final match of the season on May 21 or they could be crowned champions if Al Hilalfailto beat Neom on Saturday.
MohamedSimakanopened the scoring for hosts Al Nassr from a corner in the 37th minute and Kingsley Coman missed a huge chance to make it 2-0 near the interval, when his effort struck the post. Cristiano Ronaldo, who is still waiting for his first domestic trophy with Al Nassr, saw an effort fly wide seconds after the restart.
'The dream is close,' the 41-year-oldwrote onX to his 107.5 million followers, his side having been seconds from glory.
'Heads up, we have one more step to take! Thank you all for the amazing supporttonight!'
Former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward Ronaldo is yet to taste domestichonoursin Saudi Arabia since signing a lucrative contract in 2023.