Football

Al-Nassr’s Title Hopes Dashed by Late Own Goal

A dramatic draw with Al Hilal leaves Cristiano Ronaldo's side on the brink of a historic league triumph

In a tense finale of the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr appeared to be on the cusp of securing the championship, only to see a last‑minute own goal by goalkeeper Bento swing the match into a 1‑1 draw against Al Hilal.

The stalemate left Al-Nassr perched at the summit of the table with 83 points from 33 outings, while Al Hilal slipped to second place on 78 points after 32 games, underscoring the fine margin that defined the season.

Ronaldo, who joined the Riyadh giants in January 2023, has yet to lift a domestic trophy with the club, a drought that has fueled persistent speculation about his future and the team's ambitions.

A Fan‑Friendly Gesture Amid the Drama

Earlier in the encounter, the home supporters were treated to a surprise distribution of complimentary team jerseys, a gesture that added a festive atmosphere to an otherwise high‑stakes contest.

After the final whistle, the Portuguese star posted on social media, writing, “The dream is close,” a message that resonated with fans eager to see the forward add a league title to his storied résumé.

With the championship race poised for a climax, Al-Nassr are favored to clinch the league on May 21, provided they avoid an upset against Damac in their final fixture.

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