Al-Nassr's Title Hopes Delayed by Late Own Goal

The bunting was up, the streets of Riyadh ready to erupt, and Al‑Nassr were seconds away from sealing a title against their fiercest rivals. Then, in the 98th minute, the night turned on a single, chaotic throw-in.

From a routine restart, panic spread. A long, powerful throw arced into the Al‑Nassr box, Brazilian goalkeeper Bento stepped forward to claim it, misread the flight under pressure, and watched in horror as the ball ended up in his own net. A disastrous own goal. Silence where there should have been thunder. The title champagne went straight back on ice.

For Jorge Jesus’ side, it felt like a nightmare snatched from nowhere. They had done almost everything right. Mohamed Simakan’s first-half strike had given Al‑Nassr control, a lead that matched their dominance of the ball and the occasion. Al‑Hilal, so often the ones dictating these nights, were largely forced to chase shadows.

The clock ticked deep into stoppage time with the score still 1-0, the stands already humming with the anticipation of a coronation. One clearance, one safe catch, and the Saudi Pro League crown would be theirs. Instead, Bento’s misjudgment turned a landmark victory into a 1-1 draw and a gut-punch of a delay.

The impact was instant on the pitch and on the bench. Cristiano Ronaldo, withdrawn in the 83rd minute for Abdullah Al‑Hamdan, sat slumped in his seat as the reality sank in. At 41, he has seen enough football to understand how cruel it can be, but this cut deep. Cameras caught him staring into the distance, eyes welling, as the two points slipped away.

It had already been a night of frustration for the captain. He had threatened a trademark moment, unleashing a long-range effort that seemed destined for the top corner before Yassine Bounou clawed it away. Half-chances came and went, the final touch just missing, the decisive second goal never arriving. When the equaliser finally came, it felt like a punishment for not killing the game.

The table still tells a story of strength. Al‑Nassr remain in a commanding position at the top, but the maths has changed. Instead of celebrating early, they now know the title must be finished the hard way: beat Damac FC on the final day or risk turning a procession into a scrap. One more job, no more room for lapses.

Ronaldo’s response after the whistle showed why this group still believes it will end in glory. Taking to Instagram, he pushed aside the images of tears and frustration and sent a clear message to his teammates and the fans: “The dream is close. Heads up, we have one more step to take! Thank you all for the amazing support tonight!” It was defiance, not despair.

And there is plenty still to fight for. The draw may have postponed the street parties, but it has not derailed what could be a remarkable week in the club’s history. Al‑Nassr stand on the brink of a sensational haul, with the possibility of two trophies converging on a single day.

On Saturday, May 16, they will walk out for the final of the AFC Champions League Two against Japanese side Gamba Osaka. On the same afternoon, Al‑Hilal face Neom in the league. The scenario is as dramatic as it sounds: Ronaldo and his teammates could be contesting a continental final at the exact moment they are confirmed as domestic champions, should results fall their way.

Imagine it. A whistle in one stadium confirming a title, a trophy lifted in another confirming another. The kind of split-screen moment that defines eras and cements legacies.

But Tuesday’s chaos offered a sharp reminder. Nothing is handed to you, not even when the city is dressed for celebration and the clock is in your favour. For Al‑Nassr, the task is brutally simple now: shake off the sting of that 98th-minute own goal, steady the nerves, and prove in the coming days that this season will be remembered for trophies, not for the throw-in that almost spoiled everything.