Ronaldo’s Saudi Title Hopes Suffer Blow After Late Al Hilal Equaliser

Cristiano Ronaldo’s long wait for a major trophy in Saudi Arabia continued on Wednesday after Al Nassr was denied victory in dramatic fashion during a 1-1 draw against fierce Riyadh rival Al Hilal at Alawwal Park.

For most of the night, it looked like Al Nassr would edge closer to the Saudi Pro League title thanks to Mohamed Simakan’s first-half strike. However, a heartbreaking stoppage-time own goal involving goalkeeper Bento handed Hilal a crucial point and kept the title race alive heading into the final stretch of the season.

Nassr now sits at the top of the table with 83 points and only one game remaining against Damac. Hilal trails on 78 points but still has two matches left to play. The equation remains difficult for Hilal, which must win both fixtures, improve its goal difference, and hope Nassr slips up on the final day.

The spotlight throughout the evening remained firmly on Cristiano Ronaldo, who is still searching for his first league title since arriving in Saudi Arabia during the 2022-23 season. The Portuguese star looked visibly disappointed at full-time as he quietly walked down the tunnel after the late setback.

Hilal nearly made the perfect start inside five minutes when Karim Benzema found space in front of goal, but his effort was comfortably saved by Bento. The opening half produced chances at both ends, with Ronaldo and Sadio Mane threatening regularly for Nassr.

Benzema thought he had opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a header, only for the goal to be ruled out after a lengthy VAR review confirmed Sergej Milinković-Savić had been offside in the build-up.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 37th minute. A corner routine fell kindly to Simakan, who smashed a first-time finish into the bottom-left corner to ignite celebrations among the home supporters.

Ronaldo almost doubled the advantage shortly afterwards with a powerful strike, but Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced an excellent save. Kingsley Coman also came close before halftime, striking the post after intercepting a loose pass.

Nassr failed to capitalise on several second-half opportunities, and the missed chances proved costly. Deep into stoppage time, Bento collided with defender Inigo Martinez while attempting to collect a long throw-in, spilling the ball into his own net and gifting Hilal a dramatic equaliser that could yet define the title race.