Cristiano Ronaldo was moments away from winning his first Saudi Pro League title when goalkeeper Bento punched a long throw-in into his own net in the 98th minute, handing Al-Hilal a dramatic equaliser and delaying what would have been the eighth league title of Ronaldo’s extraordinary career.
Al-Nassr remain five points clear at the top with two games remaining, but a result they should have wrapped up became a draw that keeps Al-Hilal’s unbeaten season alive and pushes the title race into a final week of uncertainty.
Al-Nassr took control in the 37th minute when Mohamed Simakan drove home after a corner to give the hosts a lead they would hold until the final seconds. Al-Hilal pressed throughout the second half and had a Karim Benzema header disallowed for offside as they searched for an equaliser, but Al-Nassr looked to have done enough.
Ronaldo, 41, was replaced with seven minutes of normal time remaining and watched from the touchline with the same intensity he had shown at Euro 2016, when Portugal held on to win the trophy after he went off injured in the final. History appeared to be repeating itself in the most positive way.
Then came the moment that changed everything. In the 98th minute, Al-Hilal launched a long throw into the Al-Nassr box. Bento came off his line to deal with it, collided with a teammate and punched the ball into his own net. It was a calamitous error from the Brazilian goalkeeper, who is reportedly hoping to be named in Brazil’s World Cup squad on 18 May.
The final whistle sounded shortly after, leaving Al-Nassr’s title celebrations on hold for at least another week.
Al-Nassr sit on 83 points from 33 matches. Al-Hilal, who have played one game fewer, are second on 78 points, meaning the gap remains five points with Al-Hilal having two games left to play.
Ronaldo could still win the title without even playing. If Al-Hilal fail to beat Neom in their next match, Al-Nassr will be crowned champions regardless of their own result. If Al-Hilal do win, the title will be decided on 21 May when Al-Nassr face Damac, a side fighting to avoid relegation.
Despite the late setback, Al-Nassr have put together a dominant season. Their 27 victories are the most of any side in the league, and they have drawn only twice all campaign, a reflection of their high-risk, attack-minded approach under pressure to deliver a first title for Ronaldo.
Their attacking output has been formidable. Al-Nassr scored 87 goals and conceded just 27, finishing with a goal difference of plus 60. Al-Hilal, in contrast, have gone the season unbeaten, though Al-Nassr’s superior win record has kept them ahead throughout.
Ronaldo did not score on Tuesday and remains on 971 career goals. A first Saudi title, the one major honour still eluding him in the Kingdom, remains within reach but will have to wait a few more days.
Tuesday’s match carried a personal edge for Ronaldo beyond the title stakes. Al-Hilal’s capture of his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema in early February had visibly angered him. He publicly accused Al-Nassr’s owners, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, of a lack of ambition and demonstrated his frustration by going absent without leave for two matches. The sight of Benzema, albeit with a header disallowed, threatening to deny Ronaldo on Tuesday will have done little to ease that particular tension.
