Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr suffered a painful setback in the Saudi Pro League title race after a dramatic 1-1 draw against Al Hilal on Tuesday night. Al Nassr looked ready to secure the Saudi Pro League title after Mohamed Simakan scored in the first half at Al-Awwal Park.
The result would have given Cristiano Ronaldo his first Saudi Pro League trophy since joining Al Nassr in late 2022. However, a costly mistake from goalkeeper Bento in the 98th minute changed everything.
The late own goal denied Al Nassr the chance to celebrate in front of their home fans. Despite the result, the Saudi Pro League standings still place Al Nassr at the top with one final match remaining against Damac.
Cristiano Ronaldo Reacts After Al Nassr Misses Saudi Pro League Chance
Cristiano Ronaldo showed visible frustration after Al Nassr failed to finish the job against Al Hilal. The Portuguese star had already been substituted when the late drama unfolded in stoppage time.
Bento attempted to collect a long throw-in after colliding with defender Iñigo Martínez, but the ball slipped from his hands and crossed the line. The mistake handed Al Hilal a crucial equalizer and kept the Saudi Pro League title race alive.
Soon after the final whistle, Cristiano Ronaldo posted a message on social media to encourage Al Nassr’s supporters.
“The dream is close. Heads up, we have one more step to take! Thank you all for the amazing support tonight.”
The result means Al Nassr remains top of the Saudi Pro League standings with 83 points from 33 matches. Al Hilal sits second with 78 points from 32 games. Al Nassr can still secure the Saudi Pro League title with a victory over Damac in the final round.
Cristiano Ronaldo has played a major role in the Al Nassr title push this season. The veteran forward has scored around 26-28 league goals and remains one of the biggest stars in Saudi football. His performances continue to drive attention toward both Al Nassr and the Saudi Pro League.
Jorge Jesus Backs Al Nassr in Saudi Pro League Title Race
Al Nassr coach Jorge Jesus tried to stay positive after the disappointing draw. The experienced manager knows the Saudi Pro League title remains in Al Nassr’s hands.
“It’s tough to have lost the possibility to celebrate winning the title today on the last play of the game, but there is still one more game, at our stadium, and we can be champions, Jorge Jesus said after the match.”
Jorge Jesus also called on supporters to help the team during the final Saudi Pro League match against Damac.
“We have a second chance. We still have a game to be happy. If the fans are as strong as today, for sure in the last game we will be happy, and we will celebrate the title.”
The Al Nassr manager also defended Bento after the costly mistake against Al Hilal.
“It happened following a collision between Bento and Martínez, with no involvement from the Al Hilal players. These sorts of situations happen all the time in football.”
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr Face a Huge Final Week
Before returning to Saudi Pro League action, Al Nassr must prepare for the AFC Champions League Two final against Gamba Osaka on May 16. The packed schedule has increased concerns about fatigue among key players ahead of the Damac vs Al Nassr showdown.
Still, Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr remain in control of the Saudi Pro League title race. A win in the final match would end the club’s long wait for league success and finally deliver Cristiano Ronaldo a Saudi Pro League winners’ medal.
The pressure is now fully on Al Nassr to finish the season strongly after letting one major chance slip away against Al Hilal.
Cristiano Ronaldo Sends Strong Message After Al Nassr Miss Saudi Pro League Chance