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Cristiano Ronaldo was left visibly distraught on the Al-Nassr bench after a catastrophic late error by goalkeeper Bento denied the club its first Saudi Pro League title in seven years.
The Portuguese superstar had been a late substitute against Al-Hilal and could only watch in horror as victory was snatched away from him in the final seconds.
A late screamer from the goalkeeper spoils the party
The streets of Riyadh were prepared for a historic celebration, but Al-Nassr were forced to put the champagne on ice after a 1-1 draw against rivals Al-Hilal.
Everything looked set for Jorge Jesus’ side to clinch the Saudi Pro League title until the 98th minute. In a moment of absolute madness, a disastrous own goal from a powerful throw-in stunned the home crowd and left the players in shock.
The mistake came at the worst possible moment, as Brazilian goalkeeper Bento misjudged the trajectory of the ball under pressure.
This draw means that although Al-Nassr remains in a dominant position at the top of the table, they will still need to beat Damac FC in their final match to clinch the title.
It was a blow for a team that had dominated much of the competition after Mohamed Simakan’s opener.
Ronaldo’s raw emotion on the bench
The frustration was too much for Ronaldo to bear.
After being replaced in the 83rd minute by Abdullah Al-Hamdan, the 41-year-old was seen slumped on the bench following Bento’s error, staring into space with tears in his eyes as the realization of the lost points sank in.
It was a night of near misses for the captain, who saw a spectacular long-range shot saved by Yassine Bounou earlier in the match.
Despite the heartbreak on the pitch, Ronaldo took to social media shortly after the final whistle to rally his teammates and supporters.
He posted a defiant message on Instagram, declaring: “The dream is near. Watch out, we still have one more step to take! Thank you everyone for your incredible support tonight!”
A potential double on the horizon
Even though the title party has been delayed, Al-Nassr still find themselves on the verge of winning a sensational trophy.
The club is already looking ahead to a massive week where they could potentially celebrate two titles in the same day, with this unique scenario depending on the results of their upcoming matches and the performance of rivals Al-Hilal.
On Saturday, May 16, Al-Nassr will participate in the AFC Champions League 2 final against Japanese team Gamba Osaka.
With Al-Hilal taking on Neom in the league earlier in the afternoon, Ronaldo and his teammates could technically be crowned national champions as they take to the field for their continental final.
It sets the stage for one of the most remarkable days in the club’s history, provided they can shake off the disappointment of Tuesday’s draw.
