Cristiano Ronaldo must wait longer to claim his first Saudi Pro League crown after Al-Nassr drew 1-1 with Al-Hilal in a decisive top-of-the-table encounter on Sunday. The league leaders squandered a golden opportunity to secure the championship early when goalkeeper Bento's own goal in the 90th minute handed their rivals a crucial lifeline.
Al-Nassr had taken the lead through Mohamed Simakan's header in the first half, capitalizing on a corner delivery from Kingsley Coman. The defensive midfielder's early breakthrough suggested the Saudi giants were on course for a defining victory. However, a lapse in concentration during stoppage time allowed Al-Hilal to salvage a draw and keep their title hopes alive.
The Title Race Tightens
The draw leaves Al-Nassr six points clear with two matches remaining, while Al-Hilal still have fixtures to play. Ronaldo's side have completed one additional game in the fixture list, meaning the Portuguese forward could mathematically clinch the trophy this Saturday from the sidelines. Al-Hilal must defeat NEOM SC and hope results elsewhere go their way. Al-Nassr then face Damac FC in their season finale, where they can confirm the league title with victory.
This represents a significant setback for Ronaldo's pursuit of silverware in the Saudi Pro League. The 39-year-old joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 and has been searching for his first trophy with the club across the 2024-25 season. A slender margin at the summit means every decision now carries enormous weight. With opportunities to wrap up the championship approaching, Al-Nassr cannot afford further slip-ups against lower-ranked opponents in their remaining games.
