Al-Nassr saw their Saudi Pro League title aspirations crumble in the dying moments of their crucial match against rivals Al Hilal yesterday, following a bizarre 98th-minute own goal by goalkeeper Bento. The 1-1 draw means Al-Nassr now trails Al Hilal and must win their final match while hoping for slip-ups from their rivals to secure the championship.
A last-second own goal by Al-Nassr's goalkeeper Bento on Tuesday cost the team a crucial win against Al Hilal, effectively derailing their Saudi Pro League title challenge.
The club was a mere 12 seconds away from victory, leading 1-0 at the Al Awwal Park stadium, before the unexpected error occurred. This result leaves Al-Nassr second on points with Al Hilal, but with an inferior head-to-head record, dimming their championship prospects considerably. Cristiano Ronaldo, visibly distraught, remained seated in the dugout long after the final whistle, unable to be consoled by teammates. He later posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), thanking fans for their support and urging continued effort: "Thank you all for the amazing support tonight… Heads up, we have one more step to take."
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TITLE RACE HANGS BY A THREAD
Al-Nassr’s path to the title now hinges on winning their final league fixture against Damac on May 21st. However, their fate is no longer entirely in their own hands. Al Hilal still have two matches remaining and can secure the title if they win both, regardless of Al-Nassr's result.
Before the dramatic own goal, Al-Nassr had taken the lead in the 37th minute through Mohamed Simakan, following a corner. Earlier in the match, Ronaldo himself missed an opportunity, seeing an effort fly wide shortly after the game's restart. A missed clear chance by Karim Benzema earlier in the game also stands out as a moment that could have altered the outcome.
RECENT TENSIONS AND CONTROVERSY
The near-miss comes after a period of heightened tension for Al-Nassr. In late April, a brawl erupted following Al-Nassr's 2-0 victory over Al Ahli, a result that had initially put them in a strong position for the league title.
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The controversy involved Al-Ahli's Merih Demiral, who allegedly engaged in provocative medal-parading and made critical remarks about officiating in the league, suggesting a bias. Demiral's actions led to disciplinary measures, including four significant penalties, and drew ire from Al-Nassr players and fans alike. Demiral had previously claimed, "We always win games and nobody helps," and alluded to referees being influenced.
Cristiano Ronaldo, while not directly involved in the physical altercation, has been the subject of increased scrutiny. Despite arriving in Saudi Arabia with significant expectations, this season was positioned as his potential final act in a glittering career. While Al-Nassr secured a vital win against Al Ahli then, extending their lead and putting them in the driving seat, the recent draw with Al Hilal has cast a shadow over their campaign. There are even reports of some Al-Nassr fans directing backlash towards Ronaldo amid the club's fluctuating fortunes, though the primary focus yesterday was on the devastating late own goal.
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