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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 substituted late against Al-Hilal and could only watch in horror as victory was snatched away from him in the final seconds.
The doorman’s late howl ruins the party
The streets of Riyadh were prepared for a historic celebration, but Al-Nassr was forced to freeze the champagne after a 1-1 draw with rivals Al-Hilal.
Everything seemed ready for Jorge Jesús’s team to win the Saudi Pro League title until the 98th minute. In a moment of absolute madness, a disastrous own goal after a powerful throw-in surprised the home crowd and left the players shocked.
The error came at the worst possible moment, as Brazilian goalkeeper Bento misjudged the flight of the ball under pressure.
The draw means that while Al-Nassr remain 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 cruel blow for a team that had dominated much of the match after Mohamed Simakan’s opening goal in the first half.
Ronaldo’s raw emotion on the bench
The frustration was too much for Ronaldo.
After being substituted in the 83rd minute by Abdullah Al-Hamdan, the 41-year-old was seen hunched on the bench following Bento’s mistake, staring into space with tears in his eyes as he realized the points lost.
It was a night in which the captain almost missed, as Yassine Bounou saved a spectacular long-range shot early in the match.
Despite the anguish on the pitch, Ronaldo took to social media shortly after the final whistle to encourage his teammates and fans.
She posted a defiant message on Instagram that read: “The dream is near. Watch out, we have one more step to take! Thank you all for the incredible support tonight!”
A possible double on the horizon
Although the title party has been delayed, Al-Nassr still finds himself on the verge of a sensational trophy haul.
The club is already looking forward to a big week in which they could potentially celebrate two titles on the same day, and this unique scenario depends on the results of their upcoming matches and the performance of their rivals Al-Hilal.
On Saturday, May 16, Al-Nassr will compete in the AFC Champions League Two final against Japanese side Gamba Osaka.
With Al-Hilal facing Neom in the league that same afternoon, Ronaldo and his teammates could technically be crowned national champions while on 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 overcome the disappointment of Tuesday’s draw.
