Al-Nassr’s long-awaited Saudi Pro League title celebrations were sensationally derailed on Tuesday night after a catastrophic late error forced a 1-1 draw against rivals Al-Hilal.
The Knights of Najd were mere seconds away from securing their first league crown since 2019, only for goalkeeper Bento to score a bizarre own goal in the final play of the match.
Mohamed Simakan had initially ignited the Alawwal Park crowd with a clinical 37th-minute strike, seemingly putting Cristiano Ronaldo’s side on the verge of history.
Ronaldo, who was substituted in the 80th minute to a standing ovation, was left visibly distraught on the bench as the champion’s sash was snatched from his grasp at the death.
The dramatic Riyadh derby was further intensified by the presence of Portugal coach Roberto Martínez, who witnessed high-tension clashes and seven yellow cards throughout the evening.
Despite the setback, Al-Nassr remains in the driver’s seat with 83 points, holding a five-point lead over unbeaten Al-Hilal with just two rounds remaining in the 2025/26 campaign.
The draw means Al-Nassr must now pivot quickly to Saturday’s AFC Champions League Two final against Gamba Osaka before their final league showdown with Damac on May 21.
For Al-Hilal, the late equalizer preserves their remarkable unbeaten streak, ensuring the title race remains mathematically alive for at least one more matchday.