Fans at the King Saud University Stadium experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, going from sheer euphoria to dead silence in a matter of seconds. Before the tragedy struck, Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento was having an absolute masterclass of a match, producing multiple spectacular saves to deny Al Hilal’s formidable attack.
From Hero to Zero in the 98th Minute
However, an unbelievable mistake in the 98th minute froze everyone inside the stadium. A clumsy attempt to catch the ball following an opponent’s throw-in instantly turned Bento from the undisputed hero of the match into the center of heartbreak. The costly error forced Cristiano Ronaldo’s highly anticipated championship party to be temporarily postponed.
Ronaldo, who had been substituted in the 82nd minute to preserve his fitness, could only hold his head in absolute disbelief from the bench as he watched the victory slip away. The 34th major trophy of his illustrious career—which would also mark his first official piece of silverware in Saudi Arabia—is now on standby. Although Al Nassr still firmly controls their own destiny, this last-minute error has made the dramatic title race significantly more nerve-wracking.
When Can Ronaldo Officially Lift the Trophy?
So, exactly when will Ronaldo be able to celebrate the championship? Currently, Al Nassr sits five points ahead of their bitter rivals, Al Hilal, but they have played one game more. This weekend, Al Hilal will play their crucial rescheduled match against Neom SC.
If Al Hilal drops points in this fixture, Al Nassr will automatically be crowned Saudi Pro League champions without even having to worry about the final day of the season. However, if Al Hilal secures a win, the title race will be pushed to the absolute wire and decided on Matchday 34.
The Final Hurdle
In the concluding round of the league, Al Nassr will face Damac. Should it come down to this fixture, a simple, favorable result is all Ronaldo and his teammates will need to complete their ultimate domestic goal. Notably, this decisive league match takes place shortly after Al Nassr competes in the high-stakes AFC Champions League Two final against Japanese side Gamba Osaka.
Despite the bitter aftertaste left by the late draw against Al Hilal, Al Nassr is still standing on the precipice of a historic trophy double. The door for Ronaldo to pop the championship champagne remains wide open.
