RIYADH — Al Nassr were denied a long-awaited Roshn Saudi League title celebration in heartbreaking fashion on Tuesday night after a 98th-minute own goal handed Al Hilal a dramatic 1-1 draw in a chaotic Capital Derby at Al Awwal Park.With the Saudi title seemingly seconds away from being sealed, disaster struck deep into stoppage time when Al Nassr defender Íñigo Martínez collided with goalkeeper Bento while attempting to defend a long throw into the penalty area.As Bento rose to claim the ball, the collision sent it ricocheting into his own net, silencing a packed Al Awwal Park and stunning even Cristiano Ronaldo, who watched the final moments from the sidelines in disbelief.For more than 60 minutes, it had looked like Ronaldo and Al Nassr were finally on course to secure the club’s first Saudi Pro League title in seven years.Mohamed Simakan fired the hosts ahead in the 37th minute after reacting quickest to a loose rebound inside the box, sending the stadium into eruption as Al Nassr tightened their grip on the title race.The home side defended aggressively for much of the second half, with Al Hilal struggling to create clear openings despite dominating possession late on.But in the final seconds of the match, the derby delivered one final twist.The dramatic equalizer keeps Al Nassr five points clear at the top of the table, although Al Hilal still hold a crucial game in hand against NEOM Sports Club on Saturday.Victory there would cut the gap to two points and send the title race to a final-day showdown.If that happens, Al Nassr will host Damac FC in the closing round, while Al Hilal travel to face Al Fayha.Instead of a coronation night for Ronaldo and Al Nassr, Riyadh witnessed one of the most dramatic endings in Saudi Pro League history, a cruel reminder that the title race is not over yet.RIYADH — Al Nassr were denied a long-awaited Roshn Saudi League title celebration in heartbreaking fashion on Tuesday night after a 98th-minute own goal handed Al Hilal a dramatic 1-1 draw in a chaotic Capital Derby at Al Awwal Park.With the Saudi title seemingly seconds away from being sealed, disaster struck deep into stoppage time when Al Nassr defender Íñigo Martínez collided with goalkeeper Bento while attempting to defend a long throw into the penalty area.As Bento rose to claim the ball, the collision sent it ricocheting into his own net, silencing a packed Al Awwal Park and stunning even Cristiano Ronaldo, who watched the final moments from the sidelines in disbelief.For more than 60 minutes, it had looked like Ronaldo and Al Nassr were finally on course to secure the club’s first Saudi Pro League title in seven years.Mohamed Simakan fired the hosts ahead in the 37th minute after reacting quickest to a loose rebound inside the box, sending the stadium into eruption as Al Nassr tightened their grip on the title race.The home side defended aggressively for much of the second half, with Al Hilal struggling to create clear openings despite dominating possession late on.But in the final seconds of the match, the derby delivered one final twist.The dramatic equalizer keeps Al Nassr five points clear at the top of the table, although Al Hilal still hold a crucial game in hand against NEOM Sports Club on Saturday.Victory there would cut the gap to two points and send the title race to a final-day showdown.If that happens, Al Nassr will host Damac FC in the closing round, while Al Hilal travel to face Al Fayha.Instead of a coronation night for Ronaldo and Al Nassr, Riyadh witnessed one of the most dramatic endings in Saudi Pro League history, a cruel reminder that the title race is not over yet.
Drama in Riyadh: Al Hilal stun Al Nassr with 98th-minute equalizer
