Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr kept waiting for Saudi Pro League title by own goal | Football News
Al-Nassr’s Title Aspirations Dashed by Goalkeeper’s Injury-Time Own Goal
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Al-Nassr’s pursuit of their first Saudi Pro League title in seven years was thwarted Tuesday evening when goalkeeper Bento scored an own goal in injury time, resulting in a 1-1 draw against local rivals Al Hilal.
With Al-Nassr leading 1-0 and just seconds remaining in the match, Bento mishandled an overhead save, accidentally sending the ball into his own net in a moment that stunned fans and players alike. The draw leaves Al-Nassr atop the league table with 83 points from 33 matches, while Al Hilal sits in second place with 78 points from 32 games.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who captains Al-Nassr, displayed visible frustration on the bench as the equalizer slipped past his team. The Portuguese star joined the club in January 2023 and has yet to secure a domestic title since his arrival following a record-breaking transfer from Manchester United.
Al-Nassr last claimed the league title in 2019, while Al Hilal clinched the championship in 2024. The home team’s supporters were energized prior to kickoff, receiving free team shirts that transformed the stands into a vibrant sea of yellow in anticipation of a potential title win.
Al-Nassr is poised to secure the championship, requiring only a favorable result in their final league match against 15th-place Damac on May 21. “The dream is close,” Ronaldo shared with his 770 million followers on social media following the match.
