Cristiano Ronaldo was on the verge of celebrating his first major title with Al-Nassr, but a last-gasp own goal from goalkeeper Bento Krepski in the 90+8 minute kept Al-Hilal alive in the race. The Portuguese superstar watched in disbelief as a routine throw-in turned into a bizarre equalizer, postponing the championship party.
Al-Nassr needed a win against their direct rivals to secure the league title with a game to spare. They led 1-0 from the 37th minute thanks to a goal by Mohamed Simakan, and Ronaldo, who played 83 minutes, was already thinking about the trophy. However, deep into stoppage time, Al-Hilal midfielder Sultan Mendash launched a long throw-in. Goalkeeper Bento came out to claim it but collided with defender Iñigo Martínez, and the ball deflected off his hands into the net. 
The replay showed Bento touched the ball but failed to hold it – a costly misjudgment. 
Defender Abdouelaziz Al-Amri tried to clear it off the line, but the damage was done. 
The draw means Al-Nassr did not seal the title early. Al-Hilal now trail by five points with a game in hand. Al-Nassr’s final league match is against 15th-placed Damak, a team near the relegation zone. To win the title without relying on Al-Hilal dropping points, they must win. Al-Hilal’s remaining opponents are Neom (8th) and Al-Fayha (10th).
But Ronaldo still has a shot at silverware this season. Beyond the league, Al-Nassr will face Japan’s Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final (the equivalent of the Europa League) on May 16 at their home stadium. It’s a golden opportunity for the club to end a trophy drought: their last official title was the Saudi Super Cup in 2020, and before that, the league crown in 2019. Ronaldo himself hasn’t won a club trophy since the 2021 Supercoppa Italiana with Juventus (though he won Serie A in 2020). Now, he’s closer than ever to lifting silverware in Saudi Arabia.
