Cristiano Ronaldo denied Saudi title by Bento howler

2 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo denied Saudi title by Bento howler

Cristiano Ronaldo denied Saudi title by Bento howler

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr were denied a first Saudi Pro League title since 2019 by an injury-time blunder from Brazil keeper Bento that resulted in a 1-1 draw with closest rival Al-Hilal. The match was in its eighth minute of stoppage time when Ali Lajami catapulted a long throw in into the b

Cristiano Ronaldo denied Saudi title by Bento howler

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr were denied a first Saudi Pro League title since 2019 by an injury-time blunder from Brazil keeper Bento that resulted in a 1-1 draw with closest rival Al-Hilal. The match was in its eighth minute of stoppage time when Ali Lajami catapulted a long throw in into the box that was initially met by Bento only for the ball to then pass between his hands and into the net.

Cristiano Ronaldo's quest for Saudi Pro League glory took a dramatic twist as Al-Nassr were held to a heart-stopping 1-1 draw by arch-rivals Al-Hilal, thanks to an injury-time howler from Brazilian goalkeeper Bento. The result leaves Ronaldo and his teammates on the brink of a first league title since 2019, but they'll have to wait just a little longer to pop the champagne.

The drama unfolded deep into stoppage time—eight minutes, to be exact—when Ali Lajami launched a long throw into the box. What looked like a routine catch for Bento turned into a nightmare as the ball slipped through his hands and trickled into the net, silencing the Riyadh crowd at Alawwal Park. It was a moment of sheer disbelief that flipped the script on what had been a tense, tactical battle.

Earlier, Mohamed Simakan had given Al-Hilal the lead in the 38th minute, putting the visitors in the driver's seat. But Ronaldo, watching from the bench after being substituted, had already made his mark on the game. The Portuguese superstar rattled the woodwork with a thunderous long-range strike in the first half, a shot that would have been a contender for goal of the season had it found the net.

With the draw, Al-Nassr's title destiny now hinges on their final home clash against struggling Damac on May 21. Manager Jorge Jesus knows that a victory will seal the championship, but after this gut-wrenching equalizer, nothing can be taken for granted. For Ronaldo, it's a test of nerves and resilience—qualities that have defined his legendary career. The Saudi Pro League crown is still within reach, but this late twist has added an extra layer of drama to an already thrilling title race.

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