What looked like a decisive step toward silverware ended in chaos in Riyadh, as Al Nassr conceded a bizarre equaliser in the eighth minute of added time. Goalkeeper Bento misjudged a long throw-in and fumbled the ball into his own net, leaving the home crowd stunned and shifting the momentum of the championship battle.
The 1-1 draw means Al Nassr, who were seconds away from extending their lead at the top, must now wait longer to secure the league title despite still sitting five points ahead of Al Hilal. However, their rivals have a game in hand, keeping the race very much alive.
Ronaldo, visibly disappointed but defiant, took to social media shortly after the final whistle to rally supporters.
“The dream is close,” the 41-year-old wrote on X to his 107.5 million followers. “Heads up, we have one more step to take! Thank you all for the amazing support tonight!”
With just one match remaining in their season, Al Nassr still have the opportunity to seal the title against Damac next week, but the pressure has now intensified following the dramatic late setback.
Since arriving in Saudi Arabia in 2023 on a landmark contract, the former Cristiano Ronaldo star—previously of Manchester United and Real Madrid—is yet to win domestic silverware in the Kingdom, despite helping elevate global attention on the league.
His move helped transform the Saudi Pro League into a global transfer hotspot, paving the way for other high-profile arrivals, including players like Neymar and Karim Benzema, further raising the league’s international profile.
Now, with everything still to play for, Al Nassr’s title hopes remain alive—but hanging by a thread after one of the most dramatic endings of the season.